Obituary of James Joseph Lattanzi

James J, Lattanzi, 90, of Westover, WV, passed away at home on Friday, June 27, 2014. James was born on September 19, 1923 in Austin, Preston County to the late Nazzareno and Ermalinda Lattanzi. He was married for fifty-seven years to his beloved wife, Margaret Kudla Lattanzi, who passed away in 2003. Jim was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Morgantown. He was retired from Morgan Shirt Company in 1989 where he worked for over 50 years. He also served three years in the Army during WW II with the Combat Engineers where he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Jim’s service took him to the Pacific Theater where he saw action in Guadalcanal, Cebu, and the Philippines. Jim was a 4th degree Knights of Columbus member and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars with Post 9916 in Westover. He served the church and the community in numerous ways and could always count on Jim to jump in at a moment’s notice and lend a helping hand where needed and was recognized in the Dominion Post for his many volunteer efforts. Jim was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and sports. He loved West Virginia and was a faithful and dedicated fan of the Mountaineers and rarely missed a basketball or football game. Jim also played in a slow-pitch softball league for over 20 years where he obtained recognition for his play by being voted on the allstar team five different times. He was also an active member of the Westside Senior Center of Westover. He is survived by daughter, Brenda and husband Guy Fredella of Navajo Dam, NM, son, Ronald and wife Claire of Wiesbaden, Germany, sister, Amelia Fuller of Charlotte, NC, sister-in-law Josephine of Millville, DE, sister-in-law, Patricia Kudla of Westover, three grandchildren, Rachael of England, James of Morgantown and Matthew of Germany as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, James is preceded in death by one sister; Jean Lattanzi and three brothers; Guido, Martin and Robert. Visitation will be at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 1 Guthrie Lane, Morgantown, on Monday, July 7th from 5-8 PM. A Scriptual Wake service will be held at Monday evening at 7:30 PM. Visitation will continue at the church on Tuesday from 10 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM with V.Rev.Mark G. Ward CP,VF as celebrant. Interment will follow at East Oak Grove Cemetery in Morgantown. Full military funeral rites will be conducted at the cemetery by the VFW Post 9916 in Westover. Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com