James Armand Carnevale

James (Jim) Armand Carnevale, 63, of University Heights section of Cleveland, Ohio, formerly of Worcester passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at home with his soulmate and husband at his side.

Jim was born in Worcester, the son of Anthony L. Carnevale and the late Arline L. (Jolly) Carnevale. Raised in Worcester and Spencer, James graduated from David Prouty High School. Jim then spent the rest of his career in the restaurant industry serving the needs of his customers. First with the Friendly Corporation for 24 years, mostly as manager of the Park Ave restaurant, then as manager of the Bagel Inn in Holden before retiring in 2022.

Jim is survived by his husband, Reverend Roberto (Robert) Ochoa, with whom he spent 26 wonderful years, 10 as spouses; his father, Anthony L Carnevale of Worcester; A brother, Gary Carnevale and his life partner, Lesa Patrock of Dudley; two nieces, Stephanie Carnevale, Ashley Mroczka and her husband Sebastian; a great niece, Juliana and nephew, Vincent.  Jim is also survived by his Californian extended siblings in law, Nellie Rojas and her husband Rene, Ida Sylvester and her husband John, Martha Vasquez and her husband Matthew, Jimmy Ochoa, and Luis Ochoa and his fiancée Lourdes; nephews and nieces, Melissa Donahue and her husband Matthew, Briana Rojas Gonzales and her husband Steve, Mark Rojas and his partner Anne Pacheco, Erin Vega, Vincent Vega and his wife Veronica, Matthew Vasquez, Jr., Jessica Verhaegen, Joy Vasquez, and Marlene Stacey Ochoa Hernandez, plus 19 great nephews and nieces.  Jim also leaves behind extensive family cousins and friends, especially from his Holden days in the Bagel Inn.

Jim was a longtime member of St Peters-St Andrew the apostle.  He enjoyed taking vacations with his husband Robert making trips to California, Maine, and across the U.S.  He especially enjoyed seeing Adele in Montreal, Canada, attending his niece’s Briana and her husband Steve’s wedding in Barcelona, Spain, and most recently taking his first cruise to Mexico this past March.  Jim enjoyed interior decorating, gardening, landscaping, sports of all kinds notably the Red Sox and New England Patriots, plus reality television especially Housewives, Big Brother, Amazing Race, and Survivor.

Most of all, Jim is known for being kind, sweet, funny, and loyal to all those he loved and cared for.  Family was important to him, both by birth and choice. Jim was also the joy and love of Robert’s life, which they shared abundantly with all that entered their lives. He will be missed but will live forever in our hearts.

Jim’s family would like to express their gratitude for all the medical, nursing and chaplaincy staff of University Hospitals Seidman’s Cancer Center in Cleveland, OH for their heroic treatments and care for Jim and to the Hospice of the Western Reserve for their compassionate care for both Jim and Robert.  They were truly angels on earth, easing the way for Jim’s entry into the heavenly realm of God.

Friends and family are invited to calling hours from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Sunday, August 20th in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St Worcester. His funeral will be held Monday, August 21st from the funeral home with a procession to St Andrew the Apostle mission, 5 Spaulding Street where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton; In lieu of flowers memorial remembrances in Jim’s name can be made to: University Hospitals Seidman’s Cancer Center or the Hospice of the Western Reserve, both in Cleveland, OH.