James DiCola

James DiCola, age 84, passed away on January 20, 2024 after a courageous week-long recovery effort from a major heart attack. Jim was born in Canton, Ohio on March 27, 1939 to Victor and Josephine (Vitale) DiCola.  He lived a full and active life, enjoying his family, friends and traveling up to the very end.  Jim was a passionate man with a big heart who loved deeply.  He was generous, wise, adventurous, and a mentor to many.  He was someone you could always count on.  Jim was a man who valued family above all.  To say that he will be dearly missed is an understatement. Jim graduated from Canton Central Catholic High School and Kent State University. He was an entrepreneur and self-made businessman, starting his first business Urban Response in 1975 and later forming other successful companies including Tresco Publishers.  Jim was a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns and Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. He enjoyed good wine, playing golf, fishing with his Florida buddies and his morning game of Solitaire.  With his welcoming smile and contagious laughter, Jim made fast friends wherever he went.  He was always the life of the party. Jim married his high school sweetheart Frances (Harmon) in 1959 and together they created a loving family – Laura (Howard Parr) DiCola, Ellen (Jack) Cooper, Jim (Niki) DiCola, Mike (May) DiCola.  They shared 44 beautiful years of marriage until Fran’s death in 2005. Jim later went on to meet his second love, Joan (Palmer), and they were married for 17 love-filled years.  He embraced Joan’s family and her two daughters – Toni (Steve) Luzar and Dawn DeLorenzo – as his own. Jim dearly loved his grandchildren - Lauren (Arthur Bacsy) Kulwicki, Victoria (David Karr) Kulwicki, Anna (Nikola Tatic) Kulwicki, Abigail Kulwicki;  James Cooper, Holly Cooper, Ally Cooper;  Joseph DiCola, Sophie DiCola;  Domenick DiCola;  Nick Luzar;  Tyler (Michelle) Kuhn, Abbey (Clifton Mo) Kuhn, Beau (Tara) Kuhn, Dylan Kuhn.  He was also blessed with three great-grandchildren - Giuliana, Vinnie and Charli. In addition to his wife Jo and his loved ones mentioned above, Jim also leaves behind his brother Vic (Ceal) DiCola, his sister Maryanne Shaw, and sister-in-law Eileen (John) Myers, and many beloved nieces, nephews, family and friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents Victor and Josephine, his wife Frannie, his grandson John James Kulwicki, his brother Lee DiCola, his sister Patty DiCola, numerous brothers and sisters by marriage, and other beloved family members. Mass of Christian of Burial will be Saturday February 3, 2024 at 10:00 AM in the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist with the Very Revered Dr. David M. Misbrener Rector as celebrant. A private burial for the family will take place in North Lawn Cemetery at a later date. Friends may call Friday evening February 2, 2024 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM in the Wackerly Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Attn: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Canton, P.O. Box 1981, Cleveland, Ohio 44106.

Personal condolences may be made and his Video-Gift tribute may be viewed online at www.WackerlyFuneralHome.com.

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