James A. Penta, 85 of Lake Worth, Florida, died Sunday following a stroke.
Born in Boston’s North End, Jim moved to Medford with his family as a teen-ager. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the US Army and served in World War II, first at Scoffield Barracks in Hawaii and then as a MP of a POW camp in Guam. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Medford and attended Tufts University on the GI Bill. After his graduation from Tufts, he continued on to Suffolk Law School where he earned his Juris Doctorate. A successful and highly accomplished attorney, Jim was honored with admittance to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States of America in 1969. He practiced law in Boston and New York City. He retired from practice in 1994. Jim moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL where he enjoyed avidly following all his beloved Boston sports teams.
Beloved husband of Eileen (Chattler) and the late Marie (Orsini) Penta. Devoted father of Kim Orsini-Penta of Ft. Lauderdale, Mark Schimmel and his wife Marguerite of Chicago, Aaron Schimmel of Ft. Lauderdale, Cary Schimmel of Chicago. Loving grandfather of Nicole and Brooke. Brother of Phyllis Penta of Medford and Ft. Lauderdale and the late Carmine Penta. Brother in law of Jan (Bolding) Penta of Panama City Beach, Florida, Gregory Orsini and his wife Kathryn of Medford.
Funeral from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., MEDFORD Thursday at 8 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant St., Malden, at 9 AM.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.
Visiting hours Wednesday 4 - 8. Services will conclude with entombment at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum, Malden.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday May 16 at the Savannah Room of the Sea Ranch Club A in Ft. Lauderdale at a time to be announced.
As an expression of sympathy memorial may be sent in James’ name to the American Stroke Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.