James J. Tascio

James Joseph Tascio was born at Albert Einstein hospital in the Bronx on February 11, 1984. His passing is mourned by his father, Peter N. Tascio, Sr. of Carmel, NY and his mother, Anne (Carr) Tascio of Bronxville, NY, his siblings; Elizabeth Tascio Friedrichs (Kansas City, MO), Marian Tascio Friedrichs (Bremen, KS), Peter Tascio (Bronxville, NY) and Clare Tascio (Brooklyn, NY), his brother-in-laws: Paul Friedrichs (Liz) and Matthew Friedrichs (Marian), his sister-in-law; Magda Majcher Tascio (Peter). In addition, Jim’s life was enriched by his nieces and nephews; Isaiah, Bernadette, Kateri, Mara, Pia (Marian and Matt) and Sylvia (Liz and Paul). Jim will be sorely missed by many but especially by those who blurred the lines between friend and family so much that neither distinction mattered. Jim was loved and he loved us all back. In our hearts, his special bond with his Grandpa Carr, who predeceased him, continues to make us smile.
A very creative man, Jim’s quick wit was appreciated by his family and he leaves behind paintings, poetry, and prose and many happy memories that his family and friends treasure. Jim always had a book to read, a notebook to write in and paper to draw on.
At 22 years of age Jim wanted, as he said, “adventure” and took off to make his way to New Orleans. Shortly after arriving in New Orleans, Jim made a good friend, Andrew, and together they had escapades enough for several lifetimes. After a few years, Jim got the desire to travel around the United States, and lived in Texas, New Mexico, California, Colorado, and Missouri, living in Colorado for a couple of years with a good friend, Molly Greenlee, and then in Missouri, with Liz and Paul and then back to New Orleans in February. He traveled extensively on foot, rail, car and thumb and all the time, painting, writing, cooking and smiling. During his travels he kept in touch fairly often but was hard to reach and there was generally a “Have you heard from Jim” conversation going on with very triumphant sharings of “Yes, he is in . . .” when we did. Jim battled drug addiction and alcoholism throughout his short life and he achieved sobriety several times but unfortunately was not able to maintain it. The Wednesday before he overdosed, he was contacting rehabs in New Orleans. Jim overdosed on Friday, June 17th, was resuscitated and brought to University Medical Center, but his recovery was not to be, and God brought Jim home on June 24th with his father, mother, Peter and Clare, by his side. Jim, we love you. We are grateful for all those who befriended Jim on the road, and those friends and family, who like us, knew him from childhood and loved him so throughout his life.
“I absolutely have those moments. . . when I think ‘flaaarg, why aren’t I just getting drunk right now”’, but then I get a day like today, which I never would have had the privilege and joy of living if I hadn’t put in all that time feeling frustrated, and it’s so nourishing – so intrinsically, irrefutably worth it. Thank you to everyone who’s ever loved me. I’m working on it. Merry Christmas, you crazy kids” Jimmy, December 24, 2015



Services:
Thursday, June 30, 2016. 4 – 8 p.m. Beecher Funeral Home
Friday, July 1, 2016. 10:30 a.m. Sacred Heart Church for the Funeral Mass
In lieu of flowers;
Please send donations to: St. Christopher's Inn or to any substance abuse facility of your choice.