James V. Demichele

WESTBOROUGH - James V. DeMichele, 87, of Worcester passed away on January 19, 2024.

James, fondly known as Jim, was born Giacomo in 1936 to Victor V. DeMichele and Alba R. (DeSantis) DeMichele. He grew up in Worcester and graduated from Boston University. He married his wife, Audrey, in 1969 and they had two children, Vanessa and Jimmy. Jim helped to run the family clothing business, JL DeMichele, Ltd., for years before turning his appreciation of fine foods into a career as a gourmet food representative.

Jim found his love of art at the age of 11 when his doodling came alive and transformed into sketches. Soon thereafter, painting became his passion. He spent much of his life fine-tuning his skills and remained humble about his work.
The same way Jim fashioned art on his easel, he brought his creative talents into the kitchen. After mastering his mother's family recipes, he was inspired to prepare his own unique dishes, which he loved to share with his family and friends. His most famous masterpieces included rolled pizzas, fungoolies, taralli, and bluefin martinis.

Jim's sense of humor, playfulness, and storytelling brought tears of laughter to everyone who met him. He was also a compassionate and supportive friend to many. Above all, Jim's love for his family far exceeded the other gifts he shared with the world. His greatest treasures were his children and grandsons. They were his life, his heart, his everything.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Vanessa J. DeMichele of Franklin, his son, James P. DeMichele and his wife, Susan, of Sudbury, his grandsons, James (Jake) C. DeMichele, Tyler D. DeMichele, and Rylan J. Medeiros; his sister, Karen M. DeMichele and her husband, Peter Russell, of Southborough, his brother, Louis A. DeMichele and his wife, Natalie, of Worcester; his ex-wife and dear friend, Audrey J. DeMichele of Northborough, along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A period of calling hours will be held Tuesday, January 23rd from 9:30 -11:00 am in Our Lady of Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Rd where his celebration of Christian burial mass will be held at 11:00 am. Msgr Stephen Pedone pastor will celebrate. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in memory of Jim to UMass Memorial Health, Office of Philanthropy, 365 Plantation Street, Biotech One - Suite 301, Worcester, MA 01605 or donate.umassmemorial.org.
Arrangements are under the direction of Philip G. Haddad, Jr., Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden

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