Dr. James Meucci Obituary (1934 - 2015)

We celebrate the life of Dr. James A. Meucci, husband, father, and friend. His dedication to serving others carried through his life and we're comforted to know how many lives he touched. He had a passion for music, the Cubs, the Bears, Boxing, and all things Italian. James was born on December 10, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois. At an early age he knew he was destined to become a doctor. He attended Loyola University of Chicago and graduated with a B.S. degree in biology with a minor in chemistry and philosophy. He was accepted to Loyola University's Stritch School of Medicine, where he graduated with a M.D. degree. After completing his residency programs in otolaryngology and general surgery, he was drated in the Army at fort Jackson, South Carolina. He served for two years as Chief of Otolaryngology and served thousands of troops and their families. After an honorable discharge, he moved the family to Sacramento where he joined an Ear Nose and Throat practice before starting his own in Carmichael in 1977. He went on to become a fellow with the American Rhinologic Society, the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, and American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. On June 6, 1986, James performed a Cochlear implant on his patient Mr. Paul Jeffers, providing him the ability to hear his grandchild's cry for the first time since becoming deaf. James was the first Otolaryngologist in Northern California to perform this breakthrough procedure. In 1987 he was honored by the Nor Cal Center on Deafness as "Person of the Year" and by the State Department of Social Services Director's Award for "Outstanding Contributions for the Deaf". James was active in many committees and community affiliations, most notable as Chairman of the Communications Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head of Neck Surgery. He served at medical consultant for KKSA AM and other network and independent television and radio stations. After serving the Sacramento community for over 30 years as a physician, James retired from medicine and went on to become a deacon in the Catholic church, ministering at parishes St. John the Baptist in Folsom and Our Lady of the Assumption in Carmichael until 2006. It was at this time that James was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He embraced his life to the fullest up to 2011. He spend the last four years in custodial care under the loving attention of caregivers who, like James, chose to dedicate their lives providing care and compassion to others. James was finally called by the Lord the evening of June 3rd. James is preceded in death by his parents, Gino and Ada Meucci, and leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Patricia, son Jim, daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Leo Goshgarian. Viewing and rosary will be held on Wednesday, June 10th at 7:00pm and Funeral on June 11th at 10:00am, both at Holy Trinity Church, 3111 Tierra De Dios, El Dorado Hills. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Holy Trinity Parish or the local Alzheimer's Society.