James S. Lagese 1939-2025

Jim was born Jan. 24, 1939, in Youngstown, a son of the late Joseph and Katherine Melnek Lagese, and was a lifelong area resident.

He attended South High School and served in the Army from February 1956 to August 1957. He worked at the Atlantic & Pacific (A&P) warehouse and the Austintown Road Department. He was a longtime member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and served on several committees over the years. He was also involved in the Cursillo movement and a Bible study group.

Jim was an avid sports fan and coached youth baseball for 17 years at Mill Creek Baseball League with much passion. He fervently cheered on Notre Dame football, the New York Yankees, the Cleveland Browns and Fitch Falcons. Jim was a car enthusiast and owned with pride and joy a 1958 Pontiac Star Chief, gracing car shows every weekend with friends and loved ones.

Jim was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather who loved going to his grandchildren’s activities with his wife, Delores. He had countless friends and their couples club put on the La Gents dance at the Idora Park Ballroom for 14 years, and it became the biggest dance in town, with the proceeds going to various organizations. You never had to wonder if Jim was around at any holiday or gathering, as he was always the vocal one with an infectious laugh.

Jim will reunite with his high school sweetheart and wife of 55 years, Delores, whom he married June 27, 1959, and who preceded him in death in 2014. He will be greatly missed by his two children, his daughter, Renee (Joseph) Gugliotti of Boardman, and his son, Joseph (Amy) of Austintown; his sister, Pauline Antronica of Boardman; his four grandchildren, Adrianna Gugliotti (Philip Ciprian), Marisa (Ryan) James of Canfield, Jimmy Lagese of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Jason Lagese of Austintown. He also had two great-grandchildren, Justin and McKenzie James.

Family and friends may call 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 25, 2025, at Fox Funeral Home.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26, 2025, at St. Blaise Parish-Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4490 Norquest Blvd., Austintown, celebrated by the Very Rev. Gregory Fedor.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. Family and friends of Jim may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to give condolences to the Lagese family.

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