James "Jim" A. Palagi of Pawtucket, passed into eternal life on Tuesday January 17, 2023. He was the beloved husband of the late Agnes E. (Murphy) Palagi.

James was born on April 30, 1928 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the son of Adolph and Louise Palagi. Pawtucket would be his home for nearly all of his 94 years, the place where he and Agnes would spend all 50 of their wedded years, raise their four children, and head to work just a few blocks away.

James was a United States Navy veteran of World War II. He served aboard the U.S.S. Missouri and witnessed the surrender of Japan to officially end the Second World War. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, Jim was employed by New England Linen for 50 years.

James was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and cherished friend to many. His love of family came before everything else. He is survived by his daughters, Linda Palagi-Lynn of Arizona, Laurie Carroll of Pawtucket, Lisa DeSimone of Warwick, and his sister Louise Moskowitz of Pawtucket.  James is also survived by his grandchildren, Erica and Corey Makin, Jamie McIntyre, Amanda DeSimone and Sobin Kes, Christian Kinder, and Andrew Kinder, his great-grandchildren, Norah and Reed Makin, and his brother-in-law, Donald Kinder. Jim was the father of the late Patricia Palagi, and the father-in-law of the late Jack Lynn, Charles "Chickie" Carroll, and Richard DeSimone.

Jim will be forever remembered for his unmatched sense of humor, his quick wit, and his uncanny ability to captivate an audience with one of his seemingly innumerable stories.

James had an adventurous spirit. He loved family camping trips, antique sales, and road trips. He'd tell stories of he and Agnes picking a pin on a map and setting off to wherever their finger landed, of hundred-mile long yard sales, and of unexpected finds on family trips. Jim was a talented photographer and used to photograph weddings, car races, and of course, his children.

He joked frequently about the calamity that comes with being a father of four daughters and always, in the same breath, told you just how grateful he was for 'his girls'. He showed the same love and patience to his granddaughters, when he went from zero to three in just over a year. He watched their dance shows, told them jokes, and sang Frank Sinartra songs to them. He was truly overjoyed when finally a few more boys joined the family in the form of his sons-in-law, his grandsons and his great-grandson.

For decades his cellar in his house could easily be mistaken for a museum. He was an avid collector of various war memorabilia, often focusing on one period of history at a time, from World War II to the Civil War. He was likely the first septuagenarian to learn eBay and knew his way around an iPhone better than most of us. Anything he needed to learn to track down the next hidden treasure!

He relished his daily ritual at Slater Park - watching the dogs play with a coffee and two donuts, his lunch trips to the country club to visit with friends, and his weekends at flea markets, estate sales, and antique shows - hunting down the latest bargain.

As the years moved on, he frequently spent winters with his daughter in California volunteering with her dog rescue. An old western could usually be found on his tv, unless the Pats were playing, of course. He was never without a joke, a playful jab to make you laugh, or a smart-alec comeback when you asked him how he was.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to a Funeral Service on Saturday, January 21st at 10:00 AM in the Costigan-O'Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage Street, Pawtucket. His burial will be with full military honors in Swan Point Cemetery, Blackstone Blvd., Providence. The Palagi family will receive family and friends on Saturday morning from 8:30-10:00 AM, prior to the service at the funeral home.