James Rocco DeMezzo, age 86 of Crossville, TN, passed away September 24, 2018, at Cumberland Hospice House.

He was born in Quincy, Massachusetts, to Rocco James DeMezzo and Gertrude Bernadette Goulette and grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Jim met the love of his life, his wife Ellen, when they were young teenagers. Jim volunteered for the Navy during the Korean War at the age of 19. Following his military service he and Ellen were married for the next 66 years.

Jim began a career in the Springfield Police Department and received many awards and citations as he progressed through police positions of vice, patrolman, motorcycle officer, and furthered his career with the Broward County Sheriff's Department as a seasoned Deputy.

His love of music began very early in his life and he learned how to play the accordion and performed in local venues. His musical career, that he shared with Ellen, spanned decades. They performed together as the duo "Rita and Randy" signing harmony and playing various musical instruments for dance clubs and events.

Jim loved to make everyone laugh and he was extraordinarily good at that.

James is survived by his loving wife Ellen, his son Roccy (Esperanza) DeMezzo, his daughter Julie (David) Pirolo, his sister Linda (Jack) Tipton, two grandchildren Marie (Garrett) Lewis and Michael Pirolo and a great-grandchild Rosemary Lewis.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in James' name to Hospice of Cumberland County or the Alzheimer's Association of Cookville, TN.

A Funeral Mass will be held Friday September 28, 2018 at 10am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.