James Michael Eppolito

James (Jim) Michael Eppolito, 80, of Hermosa Beach, CA passed away suddenly on May 10, 2025, while doing one of the things he loved the most, playing tennis.

Jim was born on July 21, 1944 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Central Cambria High School, Jim was offered a War Memorial Scholarship to attend Colgate University in Hamilton, NY. Colgate provided Jim not just with an education and an environment to develop his leadership skills, but also a network of friends that he has held close for more than 60 years. Jim had a successful career in the insurance and pharmaceutical industry, including two decades at Prudential in several states, including New Jersey, California, Michigan, and Florida.

In his personal life, Jim loved:
• Family…enjoying trips “out east” to visit his daughters, sister, and late-mother
• Colgate...continually an active alum, proud Class of ‘66 organizer, and winner of “The President’s Cup”
• Tennis...a frequent attendee of Wimbledon and a regular at the Palos Verdes Tennis Club (where he played to win the “World Championship of the Day”)
• Travel...especially to NYC, Italy, and France (proudly using his preferred Delta status), including a special trip to Italy to study Italian with his late-wife Josette
• Football…playing half-back and backup quarterback in high school (as #26), then playing at Colgate (as #16), and supporting “his” Pittsburgh Steelers (an avid fan in good seasons and in bad)
• Walks on The Strand…appreciating the sunset over the water (his favorite) and taking time to greet every dog along the way
• People...staying in touch with good friends, and making connections with special people at his favorite hangouts (including The Bottle Inn, Eat at Joe’s, Sharkeez, and Starbucks)
• Also...driving convertibles, learning WW II history (especially Winston Churchill), listening to music loudly, routines, making lists, and highlighting + using lots of punctuation (!!!)
Jim held a strong belief in the power of positive thinking, which is exemplified by some of his favorite quotes, song lyrics, and Life Is Good shirts. “You’ve got to get up every morning with a smile on your face and show the world all the love in your heart…” and “I believe in the sun, even when it rains.” - a philosophy he lived every day.

Jim is survived by his three daughters with former spouse Elaine Long Eppolito: Caterina Eppolito, Natalie Eppolito (husband Bob Schmidt), Amanda Eppolito (husband Chase Lovellette); granddaughter: Grace Nuri, as well as his “grand-doggies & grand-kitties.” Jim is also survived by his sister: Rosemary Pawlowski (husband Edwin); nieces & nephew (Juliet Parlette, Emilia Pasquetti, Lucia Pawlowski, Thaddeus Pawlowski), former spouse: Deborah Imhoff Eppolito; and countless other loved ones and friends. Jim is preceded in death by his late-wife Josette Walton Eppolito, mother to Julie Walton Christian and Randy Walton, and his parents Michael and Theresa Eppolito.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, May 22 from 10am-1pm at La Venta Inn located at 796 Via Del Monte, Palos Verdes Estates, CA. As Jim had an affinity for bright colored casual clothes, we invite attendees to do the same. Recommended attire: casual, colorful, comfortable, and optimistic. For example, “Life is Good” shirts, Pittsburgh Steelers regalia, or anything brightly colored. For those who cannot attend in person, we hope to have a live streaming option available.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the US Tennis Association Foundation ( www.ustafoundation.com/donate ), which provides free or low-cost tennis and education programming in under-resourced communities, with the goal of nurturing future leaders and enabling kids in need to succeed on the court, in the classroom and in life.