James A Stacchiotti

James Stacchiotti, 61,a life long resident of Girard, passed away on Monday, July 11, 2016, at his home. Jim was born October 30, 1954, in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of Anthony J. and Grace M. (Brass) Stacchiotti. Jim was a 1973 graduate of Girard High School, where he was Junior and Senior Class President. He was inducted into the GHS Hall of Fame for football in 2002. He was heavily recruited in high school to play college football and had a Congressional recommendation for both Annapolis and West Point. He was also recruited by Syracuse, Penn State, Michigan State, New Mexico State, Colorado State, Pitt, Boston College, Northwestern, Youngstown State, Kent State and Dayton. He graduated in 1977 from Syracuse University, on a four year football scholarship, with a dual degree: A Bachelor of Arts in Comprehensive Social Studies with Sociology major and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. He had three walk-on tryouts with Baltimore Colts, the Cincinnati Bengals and the New Orleans Saints and was cut by all three. He was accepted into law school at the University of San Fernando Valley in Simi, CA. He attended Youngstown State University and graduated with an MA degree in History in 1981. He was accepted into the Doctoral program in U.S. History with a concentration on slavery and abolitionism and studied under renowned Princeton scholar Dr. August Meier for three years. Jim worked for 9 summers starting in 1973 at Syro Steel Corp. in Girard at both the fabricating and galvanizing plants. He took his first teaching job at Twinsburg High School teaching Government. Jim spent 28 years as a teacher at Newton Falls Junior and Senior High School. He taught 8th grade U.S. History and 7th Grade Ohio and later World History and U.S. Geography for fifteen years. His last 13 years, he was the O.W.E. coordinator at the high school as well as a U.S. History and Government teacher. He also taught psychology, sociology and developed several mini-courses for the high school students. Jim coached both football and track at Newton Falls from 1977-1980. He ended his teaching career after 28 years in 2005 when illness forced him out on a disability. Jim was a singer/songwriter and co-founder of the locally popular country/50's group The Wild Turkey Band, which he was a part of from 1980-2013. He recorded at Peppermint Studios and Keynote Productions (in Youngstown) and at Queen City Records in Cincinnati. He also did commercials for local radio stations and Mountaineer Park in West Virginia. He played clarinet and saxophone as well as guitar, keyboards and harmonica. He had eight original songs copyrighted. Jim also started his own record label in 1986 called GraStone Records. "Gra" was for his Mother, Grace; the letter "S" was for Stacchiotti and "Tone" was for his Father, Tony. He was the owner of J & J Rod and Reel where he repaired fishing reels and repaired and built custom fishing rods. Jim owned his own shop from 1987-2004. He managed and operated Girard Lakes for the City of Girard from 1996-2004. He was in charge of running the lakes as a fishing enterprise for the city, as well as patrolling the grounds, stocking the lakes, renting boats and selling fishing passes and coordinating events at the lakes. His favorite event at the lakes were the kid's fishing derbies. Jim was a member of St. Rose Church, Syracuse University Lettermen's Club and the Mahoning Valley Civil War Round Table. He founded and was director of The Girard Lakes Bass Club. Jim was an avid fisherman and enjoyed fishing more than any other hobby or activity. He fished all over the U.S. including New York, Florida, North & South Carolina, Alaska, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia, Michigan, California, West Virginia, Tennessee and Pennsylvania. He also fished in Mexico and really enjoyed fishing Ontario and Quebec, Canada. He considered raising his three sons, along with his wife, Jodee, as his greatest accomplishment of all. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, the former, Jodee Maughan, whom he married November 22, 1986, his sons; Russell Anthony and James Robert (Cecilia), both of Girard and Michael Donovan of Ft. Collins, CO., his sister Grace M. (Max) Stacchiotti of Girard and his cousin, who was like a brother, John Chiec Jr. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 18th, 11:00 AM at St. Rose Church, preceded by a prayer service at 10:30 AM at Blackstone Funeral Home in Girard. The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 4-8 PM at the funeral home. Jim will be entombed at Pineview Cemetery. In memory of Jim, any memorial contributions may be given to the family. Visit www.blackstonefuneralhome.com to view this obituary and to send any condolences to the family.