Shrewsbury – It’s long been said that Irish and Italian’s make good couples…and as a result good families. Eileen and Jim Postale embodied the blended makeups of strong family ethnicity and shared cultural heritage. Shakespeare said, ‘Good company, good wine, good welcome….can make good people’ and that beautifully summarizes the lives of Eileen and Jim Postale. Jim’s struggle with dementia came to its end on Thursday, February 2, 2017 when he died at home. He was 91. Their faith throughout life assured them of a wonderful reunion in heaven. Awaiting Jim’s arrival was his wife of 60 years, Eileen M. (O’Rourke) Postale who died March 31, 2015.
Born on September 25, 1925 in Worcester he was a son of Italian immigrants Antonio and Rose (Pardini) Postale. On October 27, 1956 he married Eileen in The Cathedral of St. Paul in Worcester and they moved to Shrewsbury in 1993.
When you think back about ‘the good ole days’ one of the familiar and fun excursions was going to a drive-in movie. Jim worked as a licensed motion picture operator in Worcester and Sutton. He had a lifelong passion for photography and was seldom seen without a camera in hand. Later in life he drove for the WRTA and served as dispatch manager for the Worcester Public Schools. Retirement in 1990 afforded Jim and Eileen more frequent trips to Eileen’s much loved Ireland…and Jim went willingly and was lovingly referred to as O’Postale. He loved Ireland, a cup of coffee, an afternoon walk through the neighborhood, daily excursions with Eileen with coupons in hand…and the company of family and friends. It was a life well lived.
In addition to his wife Eileen he is predeceased by his siblings, Joseph and Arthur ‘Vic’ Postale and Marie Courteau.
Jim’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the numerous caregivers who helped both Jim and Eileen in their older and infirmed years and afforded them the ability to stay in their home.
He leaves his children, James A. Postale Jr. of Worcester, Mary C. Tupper of Shrewsbury, Brian J. Postale and his wife, Patricia of Shrewsbury and Eileen A. Erickson and her husband, Ron of Auburn; his grandchildren, Caitlin Tupper, Kerry Postale, Briana Postale, Laura Postale and Tanya Griffin; his great-grandchildren, Jayden and Elleigh; his siblings, Anthony Postale of Auburn, Dorothy Dadian and Rita Caporelli of Worcester; his sister-in-law, Patricia Postale of Shrewsbury; also survived by many nieces and nephews and wonderful lifelong friends including Jim and Joan O’Rourke.
Family and friends will honor and remember Jim’s life by gathering for calling hours Monday, Feb. 6, from 4-7 p.m., at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, and again on Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m. before leaving in procession to Saint Mary’s Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury, where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery in Worcester.
Memorials in Jim’s name may be made to Society of the Little Flower, 1313 Frontage Road, Darien, IL 60561.
