DeFelice, James C.- Of Chelsea, September 20th. Devoted son of the late James V. and Rose M. (Qualtiere) DeFelice. Beloved brother of Joseph T. DeFelice and his late wife Joanne, the late Guy T. DeFelice and his late wife Dorothy and the late Charles DeFelice. Dear uncle of Charles J. DeFelice, Guy F. DeFelice, Melinda DeFelice, Rosemarie DeFelice and Angela DiPerri. Also lovingly survived by many grand neices and grand nephews. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral from the Smith Funeral Home, 125 Washington Avenue, CHELSEA on Friday, September 26th at 10 AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Michael the Archangel Chapel, on the grounds of the Chelsea Soldiers Home, 91 Crest Ave., Chelsea at 11 o'clock. Visiting Hours in the Smith Funeral Home on Thursday from 3-7 PM. Services will conclude with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Expreeions of sympathy in Jim's name may be made to St. Michael's Chapel or to the Chelsea Soldiers Home, Recreation Dept., Attn: V.A. Adult Day Care Health Program, both located at 91 Crest Ave., Chelsea, MA 02150. Late United States Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict.
A kind and unassuming gentleman, who put his family, church and work first, Jim, who celebrated his 85th birthday in April, passed away suddenly on Saturday afternoon at the Whidden Memorial Hospital in Everett, shortly after admittance from his home. Jim was a graduate of the Chelsea School System and continued his schooling first at Franklin Tech and then Suffolk University attaining a Doctorate in Astrophysics. He was a Director of Labrotories at Tracer Labs in Boston for 5 years before leaving for the same postion at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge.
He worked at the Smithsonian for the next 30 years until his retirement. At the Observatory, in conjunction with its lead sceintist, Dr. Fireman, he collaborated on many articles and papers regarding space research. To help him better understand and to complete his research, he traveled to many countries to assist in that research.
An active member of The Assumption Church on Broadway, Jim was a Eucharistic Minister, member of The Holy Name Society, the Assumption Men's Club and also ran the Beano for over twenty years. After retiring and for over 10 years, he volunteered at the Chelsea Soldiers Home and continued his service to his church, St. Michael's Chapel, as Eucharistic Minister, lector assistant to Fr. Healy.