James A. Mercanti, 87
June 5, 1930 - March 4, 2018
Salem- James Anthony (Giacomino Ciabi) Mercanti, 87, of Salem, formerly of Shrewsbury, MA, passed away Sunday, March 4, 2018 in NSMC Salem Hospital. He was the husband of Barbara Mercanti.
Born in Mt. Vernon, NY, the son of the late Gustavo and Diletta (Scacchitti) Mercanti, James was a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, in Kings Point, NY. He worked as an architect at General Dynamics' Electric Boat Division in Groton, Connecticut on the U.S.S. Nautilus, the world's first operational nuclear-powered submarine. For a good part of his life, he was known as Captain Jim of his yacht Vayu (now Doris), where he would take family, friends, and charter clients on sailing adventures throughout Long Island Sound. James later worked for Coppus Engineering in Worcester, MA. In 1974, he founded marine engineering and manufacturing company Camar Corporation. Since his midshipman days at sea, he was always fond of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and in later years often enjoyed the sun and beaches there.
James is survived by his wife, Barbara (Christophersen) Mercanti, of Salem, MA; his children, James I. Mercanti of Shrewsbury, MA, Kim Mercanti of Boylston, MA, Pamela Aflalo and her husband Andre of Westport, CT, and Samuel Mercanti and his wife Annick of Salem, MA; his grandchildren, Andrew and Amanda Bigelow, Emily Mercanti, Alexander, Natalie, and Sophie Aflalo; his brothers Gustavo (Gus) and wife Anna, Guglielmo (Bill), sister-in-law Laura and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life to be held at Vinnin Square Homes - Resident Clubhouse, located at 1 Carol Way, Salem, MA from 4pm – 8pm on Friday, March 16th, 2018. For more details or to send a message to the family, please visit www.berubefuneralhome.com/obituaries
