James Joseph Pisani

Jim Pisani is one of the greatest guys you’d ever meet - always welcoming and happy to see family and friends. He was incredibly knowledgeable about so many things: engineer extraordinaire, world traveler, master diver, excellent cook, member of the American Opal Society, always looking for a gold deposit to use his newest metal detector, friend, brother, son, loving dad and devoted husband.

Born Aug. 20th, 1953, in Youngstown, Ohio, Jim was the third of five children born to Victor and Mary Pisani and spent his youth in the small town of Struthers, Ohio. Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Youngstown State University, where he proudly stated all five of the Pisani boys received their Bachelor’s degrees.

His Engineering career started in St. Louis with McDonnell Douglas in 1976, in 1984 Northrop enticed him to move to southern California where he stayed. His career move from Northrop to Boeing in 2000 and finally to Northrop Grumman in 2014 where he formally retired in 2018.

Throughout his engineering career, the same thing would happen time-and-time again. Jim would become the indispensable, go-to guy who knew the answer or could figure it out. He had an amazing engineering mind and was a great designer and problem solver.

It was here in California where Jim met the love of his life, Rhonda, whom he married in 1997 and settled down with in Huntington Beach. 1999 brought a new title to Jim, that of Dad and their son John, Jim’s pride and joy.

Jim was never so happy as when he was fixing something, usually with parts strewn all over the living room floor and Jim sitting cross legged in the middle of it all deep in concentration. One would usually have to call him several times to get his attention as he had such focus, successfully repairing televisions, computers, automobiles or whatever household appliance was on the blink that day.

He loved to travel and see the world. A month-long backpacking trip across Europe in his early years, trips to Jamaica, Ireland, Italy, Cayman Islands, Bonaire, Cozumel, Solomon Islands, Great Barrier Reef and his beloved Fiji where he traveled dozens of times and where he made life-long friends on the islands. Sharing Fiji and the love of adventure with Rhonda and John. In 2016 Jim and John were able to be dive buddies during trips to Fiji and Cozumel, as John joined dad in the love of diving. Jim was so proud of John’s confidence in the ocean and pushed Jim to dive with John three more dives in 2018 in Fiji.

Jim spent his last days as he did his whole life, making the most of his time and living life to the fullest. He will be dearly missed, but his friends and family will always treasure the many, many fond memories of our beloved Jim.

Jim is preceded in death by his father, Victor Pisani, his in-laws, John and Dora Jones. He is survived by his wife Rhonda Jones-Pisani; mother Mary Pisani of Struthers, Ohio, brothers Vic Pisani (Barbara) of Mandeville, Louisiana, Rich Pisani (Mary Lou) of Poland, Ohio, Greg Pisani (Donna) of Katy, Texas, Ed Pisani (Noreen) of Garden Grove, California, along with 9 Pisani nieces and nephews, 13 Jones nieces and nephews, and his beloved son John of Huntington Beach, California.