James Angelo Blatus, 85, of Vero Beach passed away on Oct. 4, 2016.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Carol Theresa Blatus; children Christopher James Blatus, Patricia Ann Blatus, Jeannie Ann (Leo) Burke, all of Vero Beach, Fla.; grandson Mark Brandon Quercioli of Lakewood, Colo.; brothers Richard (Marie) Blatus of Queens, N.Y., and Harry (Annemarie) Blatus of City Island, N.Y.
He was preceded in death by his son, Michael James Blatus in 2009.
Blatus was born to the late James Nicholas and Rose Blatus on July 2, 1931, in Bronx, N.Y. Known as Jim to friends and family, Blatus actively served in the US Navy on the Destroyer ship the U.S.S. Preston (DD-795) during the Korean War. Following his four years in the Navy, he graduated from the New York City Police Academy. After bravely serving 20 years for the NYPD, he retired as Detective Sergeant and moved to Florida.
Moving to the next phase of his life, Blatus pursued his love of fishing as Captain of his commercial king fishing vessel, the “Miss U.” After 12 years of working as a commercial fisherman, he returned to a career in law enforcement as a Sherriff’s Deputy for the Indian River Sherriff’s Department before finally retiring after 10 years in 1998.
He was a member of the Italian American Club of Vero Beach, an avid lover of all sports, enjoyed games of chance, and traveling with his loving wife. He was an engaging storyteller and practical joker, he loved great food and his homemade raviolis were legendary.
He was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Helen Catholic Church where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 p.m. on Oct. 15, 2016, followed by Military Honors.
Flowers may be sent to St. Helen Church or if preferred, donations may be made to the Scholarship Fund of St. Helen Catholic School. A celebration of life gathering will immediately follow the Mass in the St. Helen Gymnasium, where loved ones will have an opportunity to share their memories of Jim. Online condolences may be made at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.