James "Jim" Lenarduzzi

On Thursday, January 14, 2021, James “Jim” Lenarduzzi passed away at 73, of a heart attack at his home.

Jim was born on January 27, 1947 in Green Bay, WI to Umberto and Margaret Lenarduzzi.  He grew up   in Green Bay and graduated from Green Bay Premontre.  Starting In 1967, he fought with the Army Mechanized Infantry in Vietnam.  After a year stint, he returned to the States where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Jim married Kathleen Johnson in 1971 and they had a daughter, Danielle, later that same year.  In 1973, he started a job as a Business Analyst with Dun & Bradstreet Corporation in their Milwaukee office that lasted 25 years and included several awards.  In 1974, they had a son, Angelo, and moved to Sun Prairie the next year.  After being laid off by Dun & Bradstreet in 1998, Jim changed gears and began a 10- year stretch with the Madison School District as a custodian, where he retired in 2010.

Jim was a big sports fan and participant.  He played pickup basketball several years after his knees protested loudly.  He was best known for his “jump hook” which he considered his go to move.  Golf was a lifelong passion, starting with caddying at Oneida County Golf Course as a youth and continuing through his life as a solid, dedicated golfer.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Umberto, and his mother, Margaret.  He is survived by his wife Kathy, his daughter Danielle (Greg), his son Angelo, brothers Richard and Donald (Debra), and sister Joanne (Ralph), as well as kitties Tiny and Sasha.

Jim was known for his great sense of humor and playful banter.  He was an extremely generous person, who relentlessly gave to others.   While living this way, he unashamedly did his own thing, sometimes to the consternation or bemusement of those closest to him.  He was an alien to the world of technology, but still made himself right at home and did not bother to learn ANY of the native language.  His wardrobe could be charitably described as “seasoned”, but he did not retire clothing very often or ever.  Despite pleas and one-sided negotiations, Jim chose to live where he lived (since 1975) and that is where he exited this world.  You have to respect someone who knows who he is, knows what he values, and lives his life accordingly.  Even if you didn’t always agree with his choices, that was ok with him too.  We live in a world of competition and conformity and Jim chose an alternative path and our lives were richer because he did so.

Jim was the biggest lover of kitties, please send any donations to: Dane County Humane Society                                                                                                                                                   5132 Voges Road, Madison, WI 53718  (Giveshelter.org).