James A. Roberts

James A. Roberts, age 86, passed away Thursday evening, January 14, 2010, at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Hospital. James was born in Racine September 27, 1923, son of the late Alfonse and Genevieve (nee: Van Bree) Roberts.

Jim proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He served on a PT boat and ore boats in the Merchant Marines.

On September 6, 1974, he was united in marriage to Catherine M. “Kitty” Clingerman-McCauley. Jim was the founder and owner/operator of Hydronics of Racine until his retirement in 1987. He was a member of the Local 118 Steamfitters and Plumbers. Following his retirement, Jim and Kitty moved to Port Charlotte, FL, and lived there until recently when they returned home last September. He was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Racine and St. Maximillian Catholic Church in Florida. Jim was an avid sailor and cherished time spent with his partners on their schooner the “IDLER.” He was a loving family man who will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Catherine “Kitty” of Racine; children, Steven (Victoria) Roberts, Kathy (Kelly) Clausen, Mark (Mary) Roberts, John (Theresa) McCauley, Eugene (Noy) McCauley, Gary (Gail) McCauley, Ronald (Amalia) McCauley; 17 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; brothers and sister, Jerome (Natalie) Roberts, William (Mary) Roberts, Marilyn (Les) McHargue, Frank (Rose) Roberts; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Clinton (Mickey) Clingerman, Lillian (Leonard) Kinney, Rosemary Davies, Nancy (David) Kading, Wayne LaFrania, Barbie (Christopher) Valley; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, James was also preceded in death by his first wife Dolores (nee: LaFrania) Roberts; two infant children, David and Mary; a brother, Eugene; and a sister, Marclynn Hampshire.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., on Monday, January 18, 2010, at 10 a.m., with Rev. William J. Dietzler officiating. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home Sunday from noon until 2 p.m. and at the church Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass. Memorials to the Red Cross have been suggested.

MARESH-MEREDITH AND ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888