James J. Principi

World War II

Marine Corps Veteran

James J. Principi, Sr, 81, of Ridgefield, a World War II Marine Corps veteran who had been an electrical foreman, died November 22 at Danbury Hospital. He was the husband for 55 years of Ann McGlynn Principi. Mr Principi was born in Katonah, N.Y., on August 14, 1925, a son of Nazzereno and Carola Principi.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Mark and wife, Valerie, of Newtown, John and wife, Patty, of Sandy Hook, James Jr of Wilmington, N.C., Michael of Ridgefield, Terry and husband, Greg, of Milwaukee, Wis., Tom and wife, Ann-Marie, of New Milford, Paul and wife, Lorraine, of Braintree, Mass., and Steven and wife, Kim, of West Roxbury, Mass.; 14 grandchildren, James and Scott, Michael and Julie, Jason, Keleigh and Nicholas, Jacqueline and Elizabeth, Steven and Michelle, Sara, Jessica and Matthew; and a sister, Norma Smith of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. He was predeceased by his brothers Primo and Evo; and his sister, Anna Mahoney.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor Mr Principi sacrificed his senior year of high school to enlist in the United States Marines at the age of 17, serving as a corporal on the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier in the Pacific Theater of World War II.

During the war he saw duty in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Saipan, Okinawa, and Iwo Jima. His ship, Fighting I, was the most often hit aircraft carrier by the enemy planes and torpedoes in World War II and his ship was responsible for the most enemy planes shot down in the Pacific. He was honorably discharged in December 1945.

A 59-year member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union, Mr Principi was the electrical general foreman for Ducci Electrical Contractors in Torrington for 40 years and had worked on numerous area buildings including Perkin Elmer, ATT Building, Ridgefield High School, Danbury Hospital, and Union Carbide among others.

He served on the town’s electrical board and had been a volunteer fireman. Because he was so tall, he carried the American flag at numerous town parades. He was also a dedicated lifelong member of St Mary’s Catholic Church in Ridgefield.

Mr Principi was an avid New York Yankees, New York Giants, and UConn fan. He was a coach and umpire in Little League.

In his retirement he enjoyed golf, his garden, and tending to his house and lawn.

“His true passion was his wife, children, and grandchildren, and living his family life to the fullest,” his family said. “He was so proud of living in Ridgefield and of his house which he built with his own hands and of his property and ball field, home to hundreds of baseball and softball games played at Colonial Lane. His presence, overseeing all who played on his field, was felt by all earning him the nickname ‘Big Jim.’ His sense of humor and spirit of fair play was an inspiration to all.”

His family said it is deeply grateful for all who cared for him, especially the staff at the Laurel Ridge Health Care, Ridgefield Visiting Nurse’s Association, and Danbury Hospital.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on November 27 in St Mary’s Church. Interment followed in St Mary’s Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to the Ridgefield Fire Department Ambulance Fund, 6 Catoonah Street or the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse’s Association, 90 East Ridge, both of Ridgefield CT 06877.

The Newtown Bee        December 1, 2006