James J. Lanciani, Jr

James J. Lanciani, Jr.

December 30, 1930 – April 15, 2024

93 years old

James J. Lanciani, Jr. of Leominster, died on April 15, 2024, at a skilled nursing facility in Northborough, after a lengthy illness. Born in Leominster on December 30, 1930, Jim was the eldest child of the late James and Jennie (DiMarzio) Lanciani, also of Leominster. Jim was married to his beloved “Polly”, Pauline C. (Poulin) Lanciani of Leominster, on November 7, 1954. Sadly, Pauline predeceased Jim just six weeks ago on March 2, 2024. This November they would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, a lifetime of love between them. Jim’s greatest joys in life were his marriage to Pauline, spending time with his family and friends, being a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and serving his community.

Jim and Polly raised three children, Kevin, Ken and Kathy. Their first-born and beloved eleven-year-old son, Kevin predeceased them. His memory was in their hearts always.

Jim and Polly lived a simple life, and enjoyed time spent together with their immediate and extended families. Going out to eat was a favorite event, especially for raviolis and meatballs! They loved to dance and were a beautiful pair gliding across the floor, dancing a fox trot! In later years, they enjoyed time at Foxwoods and playing bingo. Time spent with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was most important to them, whether it was sharing a meal together, watching them play sports or music, attending events together, going out for an ice cream, or just visiting together. Jim loved his family dearly, was especially proud of his children, and was never afraid to tell them such.

A highlight for all the family was taking Jim and Pauline to Washington, DC to celebrate Jim’s 80th birthday. Jim had always wanted to see the sights, including the White House, US Capitol, the monuments and especially the Korean War Monument, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Marine Corps Museum. He shed tears of honor, laughed a lot with the family, and held those memories close.

Friends were also very important to Jim. He held many close in his heart for the acts of kindness shown to him through the years. He loved spending time on the golf course with his golfing buddies and taking trips together to enjoy the game and each other’s company, sharing stories and laughter. Jim had weekly “coffee time” routines with friends, touching base, shooting the breeze, laughing and supporting one another, and sharing a cup of coffee and a donut as well!

Jim served honorably in the United States Marine Corps as a Sergeant during the Korean War, from 1951 – 1954. He embodied the motto of the Corps, “Semper Fidelis”, being faithful to his wife, family, country and community, abounding in selfless love. He thanked every veteran and community service person he met for their service and sacrifice, taught his children to do the same, and proudly stood and saluted anytime the Marine Corps hymn was played. He loved to display the American flag and honor our nation with it.

Jim was a humble pillar of the Leominster community, giving himself in public service throughout his lifetime. His greatest passion was serving on the Leominster City Council from 1982 – 1989, then again from 2002 – 2017. He served as President of the Council at various times throughout those years. He always made time for people who came to him with needs and concerns, and he felt honored to be able to help them. His response to people upon being thanked for his help was, “it’s always a pleasure”. And he would follow that with, “Anytime you need help, you just let me know!”

Jim also held various jobs in Leominster serving as Civil Defense Director, Veterans Services Director, Purchasing Agent, and Parking Clerk. His commitment to the people he served was born out of life lessons his parents instilled in him, to love and respect all people, to be a good listener and help people resolve problems, to work hard and be proud of what you do, to be honest, and to “always do your best”.

Jim tirelessly volunteered hundreds of hours, serving on many boards, committees, civic and fraternal groups and veterans’ organizations, dedicating himself to taking care of people, with a fondness for veterans, children and the elderly. In 1990, he served as Co Chairman for Leominster’s 250th Anniversary, celebrating the city’s history and legacy. He was faithfully involved in Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day services and remembrances. Jim served in numerous roles at his parish, Holy Family of Nazareth Church. He and Pauline were charter members of the Friends of Sholan Farms, dedicated to saving the last remaining apple orchard in Leominster. Jim’s heart was always about doing for others.

In September 2000, The Italian Center of Leominster named Jim as the “Italian American Man of the Year”. This was especially significant to him because of his love and affection for his Italian heritage.

 In October 2016 the Leominster Fire Department, in cooperation with Leominster Veteran’s Services, honored Jim with a very special gift of his “dress blues” – a complete Marine Corps uniform, impeccably displayed in a hand-crafted case. This very touching presentation was in response to Jim’s comment to a firefighter friend that upon discharge from the Marine Corps he had not received his dress uniform, and his disappointment that he did not have that to wear to represent his love of the Corps. It only took one mention, and people went into action to honor him with this gift. With tears of joy, he accepted the beautiful uniform, with all his medals and even his patent leather shoes and was touched beyond words. Jim reciprocated his great thanks for this sacrifice by honorably wearing his uniform at many events following this time. He wore it so proudly! Semper Fidelis!

In January 2018 at the city’s annual inauguration ceremony, Mayor Dean Mazzarella created the first “Jimmy Lanciani Lifetime Achievement Award” and presented it to Jim, to honor him for his lifetime of service to Leominster and its residents. Jim accepted the award with great humility; to him, helping the people of his community was the right thing to do, always. The award continues to be given each year to an individual who exemplifies Jim’s character.

In August 2023 the Leominster Police Department honored Jim during the unveiling of the new police station to the community at its open-house celebration. The “James J. Lanciani Jr. Training Room” was named and dedicated that day to honor Jim’s 20-year commitment and involvement in serving on the committee to build this new, state-of-art facility. He championed the cause of public safety throughout his career in public service, and gratefully supported those called to protect and serve, in word and action. Seeing this project through to its completion was a life-long passion for Jim. His fondness for the police stemmed back to his early years of volunteering through Civil Defense as an auxiliary police officer. While unable to attend in person because of health issues, Jim’s children and family represented him for this remarkable honor. The strong desire on the part of the Leominster Police Department to never forget those who worked long and hard to provide them with this facility was incredibly touching to the Lanciani family.

Jim is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Brenda Lanciani of Westborough and his daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Jerry Gaul of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brother Steven and his wife Joyce Lanciani of Greenfield; brother-in law Ernest Poulin of Leominster and sister-in-law Lorraine Paquette of Fitchburg; grandchildren Stephanie and husband Todd Regh and their children Caroline, Grace and Timothy of Northborough, Stephen Lanciani of Tysons, Virginia, and Nicholas Lanciani of Westborough; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jim was predeceased by his siblings, Gloria Beaudette, Patricia Dionne, and Gary Lanciani.

Jim’s funeral will be held Monday, April 22, 2024, from Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West Street, Leominster, with calling hours at the funeral home on Sunday, April 21, 2024, from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm and on Monday, April 22, 2024 from 9:15 am – 10:15 am, followed by a Mass at Holy Family of Nazareth Church, 750 Union Street, Leominster at 11 am. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Cecilia’s Cemetery, Leominster.

Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the following Leominster organizations: Leominster Veterans Memorial Center, c/o Leominster Veterans Center, 100 West Street, Leominster, MA 01453; The Mayor’s Energy Fund, c/o Leominster City Hall, 25 West Street, Leominster, MA 01453 or Friends of Sholan Farms ( www.sholanfarms.com)

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