Formerly of New Canaan, CT

Here is the obituary written by Jim's sister Joan, as it appeared in their hometown paper, the New Canaan Advertiser.

James Meehan Bucciarelli, a former Greenwich High School teacher, died Jan. 4 in Portland, Ore.

Born Oct. 31, 1939, in Norwalk, he was the third son of the late Louis L. and Jeane M. Bucciarelli.

Mr. Bucciarelli attended New Canaan’s Center School and Saxe Junior High School and graduated with the New Canaan High School Class of 1957, in which he was named “Most Outstanding Senior.” He received a bachelor of arts degree in history from Harvard College (Eliot House) in 1961 and a master of arts degree in teaching from Wesleyan University in 1963.

In 1965, Mr. Bucciarelli married Jean Grace Manly; they divorced in 1979 and remained friends, family members said. The couple lived in Ridgefield while married, raising daughters Jessica and Gracie, born respectively in 1967 and 1970, there.

While living in Ridgefield, Mr. Bucciarelli taught at GHS, developing innovative teaching programs for students who were not college-bound. He represented the school’s faculty in labor negotiations with the school board and built lasting relationships with fellow teachers. A Harvard Book Club award is given annually in Mr. Bucciarelli’s name to a Greenwich High School graduating senior.

In the summer of 1970, the Bucciarellis moved to northeast Portland, Ore., where Mr. Bucciarelli was recruited to be a team leader at Adams High School. He dedicated his teaching and talent to raising awareness of social justice and community-based planning initiatives, such as those of the federal government’s Model Cities Program. He encouraged students to graduate from high school with a love of learning.

Mr. Bucciarelli fell ill with brainstem encephalitis in 1981, a disease that took away his ability to speak clearly, control his movements, walk, and work. He also lived with bipolar disorder.

For more than 20 years, Mr. Bucciarelli lived independently, but in July 2005, he needed skilled nursing care and moved to the West Hills Center care facility, where he resided until his death. His commitment to his daughters, his former wife, his brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews was strengthened during this time, his family said.

“His continuing sense of humor and humility founded in his faith and love for those in his life will be remembered by many,” they added.

In addition to his former wife, Mr. Bucciarelli is survived by his daughters; their partners, Katherine Jaramillo and Kristen Dilley; his brothers, Msgr. Robert P. Bucciarelli and Louis L. (Larry) Bucciarelli Jr.; his sisters, Joan Bucciarelli Yim and Diane Bucciarelli Cerreto; his sister-in-law Ann; his brother-in-law Joe; nieces and nephews; and grandnieces and grandnephews.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated by Msgr. Bucciarelli at St. Aloysius Church, New Canaan, on Saturday, April 19, at 11:30. There will be a reception after the service and interment of Mr. Bucciarelli’s ashes will follow in St. John’s cemetery in Springdale.

Donations may be made in Mr. Bucciarelli’s honor to the St. Vincent de Paul Downtown Chapel, 601 West Burnside, Portland, OR 97209, or at Downtownchapel.org. Testimonials may be posted at Themanwhocametodinner.blogspot.com.