James L. Quartuccio, 93, of La Porte passed away Friday, November 20, 2020.
He was born August 4, 1927 in Michigan City to Gioacchino “Jack” and Eliza (Thibideau) Quartuccio.
He was the owner of Quartuccio Spaghetti Western Boot Company and Leather Repair and formerly worked at Studebaker in South Bend, IN, 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 of the choir. In 1946, he graduated from St. Mary High School and enlisted in the US Navy Medical Corps. He was a former member of the YMCA, a charter member of the 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, 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 August 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; Jane E. Quartuccio of La Porte; Michael J. Quartuccio of La Porte; and Amy (husband, Joseph K.) Zook of Michigan City. He had eleven 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, Michigan; Maxwell Lofton of Chicago; Eliza Lofton of Morrisville, North Carolina; 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. Arrangements have been entrusted to Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel in La Porte.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.
Please share prayers, condolences, and memories at esslingfuneralhome.com.
The funeral service will be video streamed at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at, https://www.facebook.com/esslingchapel. You may also view the funeral at a later date at the same website.
