Berlin Obituary: James Marzi, 78

James E. Marzi, 78, of Kensington, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, was carried by angels on November 15, 2016, after a courageous battle. He married the love of his life, the late Sheila Bentz Marzi, on October 11, 1958 in Manchester.

Born on July 22, 1938 in New Britain to the late Elsie (Lenzi) Marzi and Louis Marzi, he resided in New Britain and Newington for many years before moving to Kensington. He will be joining his wife in Heaven for a movie on Point O' Woods Beach, just as they did when they first met 63 years ago. The traditions of summers spent at the beach and winters in St. Maarten with their friends who became family, are memories that will last forever.

He graduated from New Britain High School Class of 1956, and went on to graduate from the University of Hartford. He was devoted to Marzi Florist, a family owned and operated business for over 86 years, where he spent much of his life creating beautiful flower arrangements for every occasion. In his free time, he could be found relaxing and watching sports in his recliner, enjoying a Capitol Lunch hot dog or doubling-down at the casino.

He is survived by his beloved daughter, Lori and her husband, Brian H. Bosco of Essex and his cherished son, James W. Marzi of Kensington. He has become an angel to his three grandchildren: Kathryn Psarofagis, and her husband, Demetrios of Trumbull, Sarah Elizabeth Phillips, and her fiancé Conor Sullivan of Middletown and James N. Marzi of Kensington. He is also survived by his brother Louis Marzi, Jr. of East Berlin; Charles Phillips, the father of his granddaughters; Jill Xiarhos, the mother of his grandson; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his in-laws William and Catherine Bentz; his sister, Lorraine Firetto and his sisters-in-law Lois Marzi and Kathleen Fay.

The Marzi family would like to thank the entire staff of Hartford Hospital, especially Patricia Veronneau, and the staff of the Jefferson House for the care and compassion shown to him during his stays there.

Funeral services will begin on Monday, November 21, at 8:45 a.m. at the Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul Church, Kensington. He will be laid to rest beside his wife in Point O' Woods Cemetery, Connecticut Rd., South Lyme. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Sunday, November 20 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Newington Memorial.

Jim was a florist who took pride in his work and flowers are most welcomed and encouraged!

To share a message of sympathy with his family, please visit us at www.newingtonmemorial.com.