James "Jim" A. Mazza

James A. (Jim) Mazza, 85, passed away on March 10, 2024, surrounded by family. He was born on September 14, 1938, to Stella and James Mazza Sr. in Chicopee, MA. He graduated from Chicopee High School in 1956 and attended Monson Academy. He entered the Montana School of Mines (Montana Tech) in Butte, Montana and received a Bachelor of Science degree in geological engineering (petroleum option) in 1965. He met his lifelong love, Cleo Ceserani, in 1960.They married on February 25, 1961, and made their 61-year journey through life until Cleo’s passing on December 19, 2021. Jim was employed for 45 years in the petroleum industry and worked throughout the Rocky Mountain region, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas areas with Conoco, Harper Oil Co/MidCon Corp, K. Stewart Petroleum Corp and Chesapeake Energy before retiring in 2010. He was a lifetime member of API. Jim was an accomplished woodworker, and his wood shop produced many custom products for Cleo’s tole painting business. He was also an avid gardener who planted his annual fruit and vegetable gardens and curated flowers and plants from seed each year right up until last year.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Stella and James Mazza Sr. and his stepmother Claire. He is survived by sons Mark Mazza (Christy) and Jon Mazza (Tammy) of Oklahoma City, daughters Lori Eklund (Tom) of Charlottesville, VA and Jennifer Mazza of Oklahoma City, seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren and his sisters Joan Chevalier of Agawam, MA, Eileen Mendrek of North Smithfield, RI, Shirley Trusiewicz and Susan Abbott both of Chicopee, MA along with other extended family.  

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Jim’s nurse Heather and caregiver Ebony from Mercy Hospice and the wonderful nurses and staff at St. Anne’s Skilled Nursing during the end stage of his Parkinson’s Disease. On April 4, 2024, at 11 am, a Memorial Mass will be held at St. Eugene Catholic Church. Inurnment is at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery.