James Turner Ciciora died peacefully at his home in Oak Bluffs on July, 16. He was 93.
He was born in Kouts, Ind. on March 19, 1929. He lived a farmer’s life with his parents and brother. His father enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed on the Vineyard when the current airport was a naval base. The family moved to the Island the day before the 1944 hurricane. The home they were to rent in the Camp Ground blew over in the storm before they moved in.
When the war ended, his family moved back to Indiana but Jim wanted to stay on the Island and he lived here until his death. His mother’s friend Kay Sullivan watched over Jim and gave him a place to live. He considered the Sullivans a second family.
Jim got a job with what was then Cape and Vineyard Electric Company and stayed in their employment for 39 years. He was drafted into the Korean War and served in Paris.
He was handy and very mechanical, and he built three planes and a car. He enjoyed tackling various projects.
After retirement he enjoyed a quiet life at his home in Oak Bluffs. He had many friends and acquaintances in all corners of the Island. He was a faithful member of a small coffee group at Humphreys Bakery in Vineyard Haven.
He is survived by his son Jeffrey and daughter in law Sandra of Oak Bluffs; daughters Amy Ciciora of Washington D.C. and Lisa Holmes and her husband Jason DeLeon of Versailles, Ky.; grandson Benjamin Ciciora and his wife Casey, and granddaughter Molly Ciciora and her husband Stephen; and grandsons Zachary and Jared Holmes.
He was predeceased by his parents Edward and Gladys Ciciora, brother Dale Ciciora and by his first wife, Elizabeth Brown Ciciora.
Interment will be held privately at Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven. A celebration of life will be held at the East Chop Beach Club from 5 to 7 p.m. on August 30. All are welcome.
Memorial donations may be made to the Buzz Blankenship Memorial Trade Scholarship, P.O. Box 293, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.
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