James L. Quartuccio, 93, of La Porte, Ind., passed away Friday, Nov. 20, 2020.
He was born Aug. 4, 1927, in Michigan City, Ind., to Gioacchino “Jack” and Eliza (Thibideau) Quartuccio.
James was the owner of Quartuccio Spaghetti Western Boot Company and Leather Repair, and formerly worked at Studebaker in South Bend, Ind., at Whirlpool as an industrial engineer, and at Arno Adhesive Tape as a purchasing agent. He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church and its choir. In 1946, he graduated from St. Mary High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps. He was a former member of the YMCA, a charter member of Maple City Lions Club, and a former member of SPEBSQSA (Society for the Preservation & Encouragement of Barbershop Singing in America). James’s barbershop chorus won a national championship in 1956 and recorded an album to commemorate the honor. James also sang and performed in many La Porte Little Theatre productions.
James loved to sing “Ave Maria” at weddings, “O Holy Night” at midnight Mass, and Italian folk songs and arias while making homemade meatballs in the kitchen. He loved his dogs: scraggly Homer and then aristocratic Annie. He loved to swim at the Y. He loved picking up a toddler who had just taken a fall, swooping in to make the child laugh. He loved taking great care of a child with the sniffles or a freshly skinned knee. He was quick to visit anyone he knew who had fallen ill and was known for bringing a bowl of pasta to patients in their hospital beds. He loved talking expressively with his hands, punctuating storylines. He loved his family, as they will always love him.
On Aug. 15, 1953, James married Norene Schmich, who survives with their children, Jack P. Quartuccio (wife, Linda) of Michigan; Cathleen A. (husband, Anthony DiOrio) Quartuccio of Chicago, Ill.; Jane E. Quartuccio of La Porte; Michael J. Quartuccio of La Porte; and Amy (husband, Joseph K.) Zook of Michigan City. He had 11 grandchildren: Jessica (husband, Brody) Komp of Indiana; Kelly (husband, Paul) Lillig of Michigan; Laura (husband, Trevor) Carlson of Indiana; LeAnna Quartuccio of Chicago; Samantha Musgrave of La Porte; Nicholas (wife, Kathleen) Lofton of Wyandotte, Mich.; Maxwell Lofton of Chicago; Eliza Lofton of Morrisville, N.C.; and Valerie Zook, Abigail Zook and Joey Zook of Michigan City. Additionally, great- grandchildren: Lila Komp, Samuel Komp, Lucy Lillig, Paul Lillig, Sloan Carlson, Isaac Szpila-Quartuccio, Octavia Lofton, Daphne Lofton, Dahlia Hummer, Alaina Musgrave, and Eleanor Musgrave. James was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Joel Quartuccio; brothers, J. Fedele Quartuccio and Theodore P. Quartuccio; sister, Joanna M. Quartuccio; great-granddaughter, Sofia Komp; and great-granddaughter, Ariana Lofton.
Due to COVID-19, a private service and burial will take place. The service will be video streamed at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, at https://www.facebook.com/esslingchapel. You may also view the funeral at a later date at the same website. Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, La Porte, is handling arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP as well as at esslingfuneralhome.com.