James L. Iandoli

James Louis Iandoli, “Jimmy” to the thousands who knew him as a Father, Friend, Coach, Mentor and incredible wit, left us on Sunday, August 16, 2026, after spending a long, beautiful afternoon surrounded by his family.

If you had the privilege of coming across “Jim”, you never forgot him. And if a human’s worth on this earth is judged by the heartfelt tears flowing from so many upon their passing, then James Louis Iandoli’s was priceless. He was first and foremost fiercely dedicated to his family and his wife and high-school sweetheart of 61 years, Joyce. Every phone call ended with “I Love You.” Every visit wrapping up with a kiss on the cheek, and a hug and “I Love You.”

Raising a family of 6 and a dog on the first floor of a Grafton Hill three decker, crowded for a family of that size, Jimmy and Joyce made it seem like the greatest home a child could ever have. Christmases were awesome, Family dinners were served with everyone around the table and the kids always had a homemade brown-bag lunch that they brought to school the next day. There were Sunday mornings at 3:00 AM, after getting home from a second job, when he would wake all four kids to eat macaroni and meatballs that he brought from the Parkway Diner, with Karin sometimes eating with her big brown eyes closed. He taught Lori how to throw a devastating right hook in case she ever needed to protect her sister (Which she only had to do once because he subsequently taught Karin how to throw that same right hook). Religiously going to Lori’s cheerleading tournaments, which he met with as much enthusiasm as any home run. Saturday afternoons were trips with Karin, home alone because her three older siblings were off at college, to Coney Island for hot-dogs, potato chips and Coca-Colas. He would return home from a long day working at Honey Farms, only to rally and bring Dean and Stephen to Lake Park for batting practice and his occasional, very average, knuckleball…every single night.

All any of them had to do was ask and he was there.

Jimmy loved sports and spending time coaching baseball and softball, not only his sons and daughters, but also most of Grafton Hill’s kids at one time or another throughout the 70’s and 80’s, leaving lasting impacts and memories on all of them. He was a mentor to many employees and neighborhood kids like Tommy Powers and Billy Nelson. And one of his greatest things to do was proudly tell others about his kids and grandkids feats on the field, the court and the classroom, which he did all the way until the end.

There was so much he loved in life, but the supernova of that love was his beautiful, loyal and dedicated wife, Joyce, followed very closely by his four children and nine grandchildren. There were the baseball and softball games, deep sea fishing trips, working as an investigator for the state of Massachusetts, Hampton Beach bandstand nights, music of the 50’s, Elvis (ironically they both passed on August 16), fresh butter and sugar corn in August, sitting on the afternoon beach underneath a summer rainstorm, and afternoons watching the thoroughbreds at the fairs of Northampton and Marshfield and grand racetracks of Belmont, Churchill and his beloved Saratoga, where he would sit on his lawn chair and read through the Daily Racing Form like a stockbroker reading the Wall Street Journal.

It's hard losing anyone, especially a shining force like Jim Iandoli, but we are not complaining, instead we are grateful to have been lucky enough to have had him in our lives for so long.

So…it’s “Riders Up” Dad. And don’t worry, you cashed the biggest winning ticket of all, the incredible love you and Mom created that will powerfully live on through your children, grandchildren and those who knew you, for many generations to come.

James leaves his wife of 61 years, Joyce (Costello) Iandoli. His four children and their spouses, Dean and Catherine (Trifilo) who lovingly brought back his original nickname…"Buzzy", of Carmel Valley, CA, Stephen and Heidi Walsh of Portsmouth, NH, Lori and Paul Cherry of Plymouth, MA and Karin and Dennis Kelly of Millbury, MA. Nine grandchildren, Makenna, Jonathan, Luke, Emerson, Lauren, Matthew, James (Bo), Elizabeth and Grace, his sister Paula (Iandoli) Ghize, brother Louis Iandoli, sister-in-law Darlene (Costello) Sundburg, brother-in-law, Jack Costello, nieces Kristen and Heather, his favorite dog, Walker, and his half-sister Ann-Louise.

He was predeceased by his father, Louis C. Iandoli and mother Madeline (DeLaney) Iandoli, who passed upon his birth, and his stepmother, Ann (D’Elia) Iandoli.

Also, the family would like to acknowledge the staff at Ascend and specifically, Kristen Helm, for her incredible patience, support and compassion.

Viewing hours are Thursday, August 20, 2026 at Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St, Worcester, MA from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a short service at 11:00 am.