James J. DiBlasi

Born in Council Bluffs, Iowa Jan. 26, 1948, the son of Samuel and Josephine (Caracciolo) DiBlasi. Jim married the former Debra (Kota) July 31, 1976. at the St. Joseph’s RC Church in Gowanda.

Debra survives as do their children: Stephanie (Tyler) Sullivan of Springville, Lindsey (Jared) Elliott of Derby, as do grandchildren Kailea, Isabella and James Sullivan, Madison and Olivia Elliott. Jim is also survived by sister Mary (Les) Stanley of Council Bluffs, Iowa. After the passing of Jim’s parents at a young age, Jim was raised in the loving family of Lucille and John DiBlasi with many of his nieces and nephews who looked at him as a brother, including John DiBlasi, Mary Jo Widrig, Ann Salzler, Tom DiBlasi, Lu Lu Robinette, and Rebecca Aeschbacher.

Besides his parents, Jim is preceded in death by brothers Angelo, Thomas, Frank and Sam DiBlasi, and sister Lucille DiBlasi.

Jim retired from the former Gowanda Psychiatric Center where he worked as a senior recreation therapist. Jim was an avid golfer, a sport enthusiast, crossword aficionado, enjoyed playing poker and slot machines and loved spending time with his family.

After his retirement, both Jim and Debbie enjoyed wintering in Florida. Despite his diagnosis, Jim lived the life he wanted. His favorite Fleetwood Mac song “Go Your Own Way” captured the way he embraced life enjoying every moment, never giving an inch, while rising to make each precious moment count.

There will be no prior visitation and a Celebration of Life will be held at the convenience of the family this year. In lieu of flowers, we are accepting donations to Jim’s Go Fund Me Page https://gofund.me/08b603 ce that will be going toward pancreatic cancer research and awareness in Jim’s name.