James Thomas (Rocky) Scalise June 20, 1922 ~ March 9, 2017

MISSOULA – James Thomas (Rocky) Scalise, 94, passed away Thursday, March 9 at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula.

His parents, Joseph (Giuseppe) and Carmella Farao Scalise were new to America, having immigrated from Scala Coeli Calabria, Cosenza, Italy. Jim was born June 20, 1922 in Livingston, the fifth of eight siblings.

Most of Jim's early teen years were spent working for the NP Railroad, the ACM Smelters in Anaconda and the Civilian Conservation Corp. at Nine Mile.

On March 17, 1942 during WWII, Jim enlisted in the Army Air Corp and was stationed in England when D-Day took place. He spent three years in the European Theatre of Operations earning the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with five Bronze Stars.

When WWII ended in Europe, he was stationed in the Paris, France area. When war ended with Japan, he was in Sacramento, Calif. waiting assignment to the Pacific. Jim served three years as a Recruiting Sgt. in Missoula and a three-year tour in Hawaii. After 10 years, six months in the Army Air Corp and the U.S. Air Force, he returned to civilian life and went to work for the Railway Mail Service. After five years he was transferred to the Missoula Post Office where he worked until retirement.

Jim enjoyed oil painting, round and square dancing and walking in Greenough Park with his friend and dance partner Grace Hess. 

Jim was married for more than 20 years to Evelyn McDonald who was the mother of his children and who all survive him: Barry (Carolyn) Scalise of Kirkland, Wash.; Vicki Scalise of Seeley Lake and Pamela (Curt) Scalise Reecer of Missoula. He is also survived by siblings Francis Presta Price, Apache Jct, Ariz.; Virginia (Wally) O'Hara, Livingston, Mont.; George (Jean) Indendi, Livingston; Dorothy Ford, Tucson, Ariz.; grandchildren Camille, Hilary, Tyler (Piper) and Trevor; his only great grandchild Zakery and several loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers John and Frank, sister Mary, Evelyn and son-in-law Edward Jackson.