James Supple

Supple, James E., 91, of Clearwater, FL passed away peacefully at Brookside Hospice House in Palm Harbor, FL. on April 19, 2012 under the care of Suncoast Hospice.

Jim was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on December 21, 1920, the son of James and Ellen Quinn Supple. He was a devout Catholic throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years Lucia P. Kawzowicz, his three devoted sisters Kathryn Gregoire, Helen Seymour, and Rose Gaudreau, his niece Karleene Gregoire Shealey, and his nephew-in-law Richard Dubnansky.

Supple graduated from Springfield Technical High School, Bay Path Institute in Longmeadow, MA, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from American International College in Springfield, MA.  He served valiantly in World War II in the Army's 29th Infantry Division where he landed on Omaha Beach, France on June 6, 1944 (D-Day). He was awarded the Bronze Star with cluster and a Silver Battle Star & Bronze Arrowhead Device on his European Theatre Ribbon for action against the enemy at the D-Day landing on Omaha Beach.  He received a battlefield commission and the 29th Infantry was decorated with a Presidential Unit Citation, recognized as an elite unit.

After the War, he began his long successful career with General Electric in GE’s Financial Management Training Program. He held various management positions and ultimately was responsible for the Offshore Manufacturing Operations for the Lighting Business Group where he travelled the world extensively from his home in Cleveland, Ohio until his retirement in 1982.

Upon retirement he remained active and continued his passion for golf, church, family and friends; first living on Hilton Head Island, SC., then onto Fort Myers, FL. and finally Naples, FL. He remained in Naples until his move to Clearwater in 2009, where he lived close to his nephew James and his family. He is survived by his brother-in-law Jack Millis of Pine Knoll Shores, NC., and his beloved nephews and nieces James Gaudreau and his wife Daneen of Tampa, FL., Daniel Gaudreau and his wife Nasrin of Saratoga, CA., Mike Shealey of Forest Hill, MD., Ellen Finley of Baton Rouge, LA., and Dorothy Dubnansky of Baton Rouge, LA., Geraldine Solomon and her husband Paul of Columbia, SC., 19 great-nieces and nephews and 9 great-great nieces and nephews.

He was a source of great strength, inspiration, and faith for all of his family and friends whom he loved dearly and who will forever keep him in their hearts and prayers.

A Memorial Service will take place at the convenience of the family and Internment will follow where he will join his beloved wife at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Associates, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC. 20090-6011, in memory of his beloved wife Lucia.

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