James Berarducci Obituary

James Lynn Berarducci, 79, passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 after a lengthy illness. He was one of four children of the late Victor and Eleanor "Nora" (Grandi) Berarducci. He was born April 26, 1946 in Dover, OH. Jim grew up in Massillon, OH and attended Canton Central Catholic High School where he was a standout athlete in football, wrestling, and track. He then attended and graduated from Heidelberg College, where he played football and became a member of the Excelsior Mens Society.
After college, Jim proudly joined the United States Marine Corps from 1968 to 1971, serving in Vietnam and earning the rank of Captain. Jim personified the Marine motto of "Semper Fidelis". Following his service, Jim taught and coached football at Marion, Canton Glenoak, and Fredericktown High Schools. He was the head football coach at Wellington High School from 1977 to 1980.
Jim was an active member of the American Legion, serving as Commander of Post 8 in Wellington and calling cadence for the honor guard in dozens of parades. He was also an active member of Heidelberg University Alumni Association.
After 30 years of refereeing wrestling from junior high to Division I college, he was inducted into the LCWCOA Wrestling Hall of Fame as a referee.
Jim enjoyed woodworking and golfing. He made handcrafted Ohio-shaped buckeye wood guitars. In 1998, he hit a Hole-In-One at a golf tournament and won a new Ford Ranger.
A devout Catholic, Jim was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Parish in Wellington, where he was a member and president of their men's club.
Jim truly loved his family. He was a loving, thoughtful, generous, and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather.
He leaves behind his daughter Corinne (Jeremy) Willets of Cleveland Heights; son, Jimmy of Earth; granddaughters, Cecilia and Cordelia; siblings Noreen Keifer and Vicky Popovich, and sister-in-law, Linda. Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marcia (DeBuino) Berarducci and his brother Lawrence.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 8 from 4-7pm at Norton-Eastman Funeral Home, 370 S. Main St., Wellington. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 9 at 10am at St. Patrick Church, 512 N. Main St., Wellington. Jim will be laid to rest at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.
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