James Francis Limardi

James Francis Limardi (Jim)

August 15,1941—December 11, 2025

Jim was born to Ruth (Brown) and Frank Limardi in New Rochelle, NY. The family, with Jim and his younger sister, Lorraine, lived in a triple decker house with their Italian immigrant grandparents downstairs. Ruth’s heritage was Irish, but she became the best Italian cook in the neighborhood. Impatient youth that he was, Jim dropped out of high school to join the Airforce. After discharge, he got his GED and attended Pace College and CCNY. He moved to Seattle to study Middle English Literature in the PhD program at the University of Washington. In the furor of the 1960s, he left that program and completed a master’s degree in education.

Jim spent his work life teaching at risk teens and helped many get their GEDs as he had. When he worked at the Edmonds School District, he discovered an unused pottery room and set out to learn ceramics, then designed a program that took students to dig local clay, build pots and open fire them.

At heart, he was a true Renaissance man who also had a delightful appreciation of the low brow. Jim was a ceramic artist, made rock sculptures and woodcuts. His work was shown in several Seattle area galleries. He could be found reading everything from poetry to philosophy to spy novels. He played the baroque lute, the flamenco guitar and recently, happily played ukulele with the Southeast Seattle Ukulele Group.

Jim and his son, Eli, shared a special sense of humor. They loved fishing, dog walking, playing cards and sharing dinners with a movie. Jim and his men friends were avid readers, hikers, poker players, and great cooks.

Later, Jim fell under the spell of the Camino de Santiago, the medieval pilgrimage trail in Spain. Over nearly 10 years, he and his wife Martha walked a number of routes and served as volunteer hosts in pilgrim hostels. He loved the community of people he met through the Camino.

In his final weeks, he experienced a rapidly progressing confusion which was later found to be Lewy Body Dementia. He was able to be independent and enjoyed life until his final week.

Jim will be sorely missed by his wife of 35 years, Martha Crites; his son Eli Werner Limardi; and his sister, Lorraine Limardi.

A Memorial will be held on Sunday February 1, 2026, from 1 pm to 4 pm at Pritchard Beach Bath House, 8400 55th Ave S., Seattle, WA. In honor of Jim, who wore Levis every day of his life, dress casually. If you have a story, poem, or quote that will help us remember him,

please share it there. Feel free to bring an hors d’oeuvre, dessert or non-alcoholic beverage to share as well. Jim is somewhere rolling his eyes at the no-wine part.

Please share memories of Jim & sign the guestbook, located below.  

Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home ~ Seattle, Washington