James L. Negratti

James L. Negratti, age 69, of Chicago, Illinois died on November 25, 2021. Jim transferred to Unity Hospice in De Pere three weeks before he passed away to more easily travel his life's final journey with his sisters and other family. Jim was one of six children born to Al and Alice Negratti. He told friends he was proud to have started life in Tillamook, Oregon - “The Land of Cheese, Trees and Ocean Breeze.” From the time he could swing a Louisville slugger or bounce a basketball, Jim loved sports. That passion became his life s work. While a student at Gonzaga University, Jim served as the basketball team manager where the head coach and others praised his hard work, positive attitude and “total loyalty.” Those attributes characterized the entirety of Jim's forty year career in a variety of roles in college athletics but it was Jim's unwavering loyalty that stands out in both his professional life and his personal life. A work colleague noted Jim “always came to my aid.” And, a friend of 50 years said the example of Jim s loyalty “taught me to be a better friend, a better son.” A humble man of modest means, Jim was unfailingly generous and supportive. He took particular delight in remembering his sisters, brother, nieces, nephews, great niece and friends in special ways. Sending a text message at 12:01 am to be the first to wish a happy birthday was just part of Jim's modus operandi! His family agrees “Jim brought so much joy to all our lives.” Over the past decade, Jim has courageously faced a multitude of health issues.

With a smile, he said he has been grateful for “the kindness of strangers” including Drs Salahudeen, Koshy, Galanter and King at the University of Illinois-Chicago; caring staff at St Joseph's, St Ben's and Rainbow Hospice in Chicago; and, the compassionate caregivers at Unity Hospice in De Pere. The family expresses special appreciation to Aimee, Daisy and Thomas at Unity for their tender attention to Jim in the last moments of his life.

Jim will be missed by his siblings Janis, Linda and Alice Leigh; nieces and nephews Alice Ann Samuel; Katherine, Andy and Philippa Hooley; Albert Samuel; Francis Samuel; Stephen Negratti; Christian Negratti; and, Ann Negratti and Eugene Samuel. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Al and Alice Negratti; brother John Paul Negratti; sister Carol Ann Negratti; grandparents Alice and Leo Hammel and Charlotte and James Negratti.

Visitation at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 710 N. Baird St., Tuesday, December 7, 2021, from 1 PM until the time of service at 2 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages support for the work of Unity Hospice. Jim was sensitive to the impact of COVID and encouraged out of town family and friends to avoid the risk of travel.