Jim A. Gazia

Jim A. Gazia, age 81, of Alliance passed away at 11:50 a.m., Thursday, March 17, 2016, at McCrea Manor.
He was born June 1, 1934, at Alliance City Hospital to Rose (Sineri) and Patsy Gazia, and lived in Alliance his entire life.
A 1952 graduate of Alliance High School, Jim joined the US Navy and served as a boiler man third class petty officer aboard the USS Shea DM 30, a destroyer minelayer. After his honorable discharge, Jim joined the Alliance Fire Department in 1958 and worked his way up through the ranks, being promoted first to Lieutenant in September 1976, Captain in August 1978, and was sworn in as Alliance's 8th fire chief on October 16, 1985. He retired in January 1989.
Jim was a past exalted ruler of the Alliance Elks Lodge 467, served as a trustee of the lodge and past district chairman.
Jim was a past member and president of Alliance Firefighters Local 480, Musicians Union Local 68 and Carpenters Union. He was a member of the International Association of Laryngectomees.
He was a member of Regina Coeli Church and had served on the parish council as an usher and a collection counter. He also served ten years on the cemetery board of St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Jim was a lover of music from the 50's era and played saxophone with various bands over the years and later formed the band, New Dimension.
Survivors include his wife, of 59 years, Josephine (Josie) whom he married in August 1956; daughter, Patti (Scott) Cochran of Alliance, son, James (Tina) Gazia of Scottsdale, Arizona; sister-in-law, Shelby-Jean Gazia; grandson, Josh (Niki) Cochran; granddaughters, Jessica (Parker) Henderson, Jamie Cochran, and Kristen Benko; and great-grandsons, Jackson and Patrick Cochran.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Tom Gazia.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, March 21, 2016, at Regina Coeli Catholic Church. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, March 20, at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home with a Last Alarm Service to be held at 6 p.m. Interment will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Alliance.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Regina Coeli Catholic Church or to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home 75 S. Union Ave., Alliance, OH 44601.