James V. Pratillo

James V. Pratillo (Jimmy), 98, passed away peacefully surrounded by his devoted family on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at UMass Memorial Medical Center University Campus, Worcester. He is survived by his two beloved daughters Rose Delaney and her husband Michael of Worcester and Linda D’Elia and her husband Peter of Worcester; two loving grandchildren- Kerri D’Elia and Peter D’Elia, Jr.; great-granddaughter Olivia D’Elia; grand fur baby Riley; many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-grand nieces/nephews and great-great-grand nieces/nephews; and Carol Ventresca-Smith, who was like a third daughter to Jimmy. He was predeceased by the love of his life, his wife of 62 years Lorraine (Santoro) in 2019 and his brother Anthony L. Pratillo.

Jimmy was born in Worcester, son of the late Crescenzo and Lucy Rose (Parella) Pratillo. He was educated in the Worcester Public School system. He worked as a sheet metal fabricator and supervisor for Arduini Manufacturing and American Fabricators before retiring in 1992. Being the active man that he was, he then went to work as a security guard at Spag’s/Building 19 until the age of 82. While employed there he became so loved by customers that upon leaving he received many calls from them requesting lunch dates. He was a former member of the East Side Improvement Club.

Jimmy married Lorraine in 1957 and they settled into the Coburn Ave area of Worcester, where they lived for 62 years. His daughters were his primary caregivers before transitioning to St. Francis Nursing Center for the past 2 ½ years. Jimmy was a man of strong faith and was member of the former St. Margaret Mary Parish for many years.

Jimmy enjoyed the simple things in life and saw the best in everyone. He loved meeting his cousins and friends at Dunkin Donuts for their morning coffee, playing the lottery and daily numbers, holiday decorations, Italian food, Turner Movie Classics and western movies, and belting out his favorite songs. His greatest joy in life was spending time with family and friends. Jimmy will be remembered for his kind heart and dry sense of humor. He will be greatly missed.

Jimmy’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful staff at St. Francis Nursing Center for their care, love, support and friendship and Unit 5 West at UMass for the compassion that they provided for Jimmy during his final days.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 8:30am-10:00am at Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. A funeral mass will follow at 10:30am with a procession to Our Lady of Loreto Parish, 37 Massasoit Road, Worcester. Entombment will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester. Donations in Jimmy’s memory may be made to the American Lung Association by clicking here to donate.

“A life that touches others goes on forever”