James Polacco Obituary

James J. Polacco, Jr. of Walnut St., Kingston passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family, on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

He was born at his parents' Kingston Point home, a son of the late James and Fortunata Naccarato Polacco. Jim married Suzanne Welch in 1962.

A skilled cabinet maker, in 1963 Jim started working at Sanger Cabinets, Port Ewen. He eventually became a partner in the business and retired in 1993. The same year Jim began work for the Ulster County Building and Grounds. He retired at age 85 when they closed his department. Jim was noted for his custom-built cabinets that he constructed.

A proud member of the St. Mary's Benevolent Society, Jim was instrumental in the design and construction of the Wedding Hall. A lifelong parishioner of St. Mary's Church, he served as usher. Jim was a founding member of The Scotch Mountain Gun Club in Delhi, a Life Member of the Kingston Exempt Firemen's Association and a Life Member of J.N. Cordts Hose Company.

Husband of Suzanne Polacco, father of James "Rick" Polacco of Saugerties, Michael Polacco (Natalie) of Kingston, John "Jack" Polacco (Maisie) of Kingston and Robert "Bob" Polacco of Kingston; grandfather of Ashly F. Cafaldo (Tom), Michael James Polacco (fiancé Kaitlyn), Michael John Polacco, Crystal M. Riquelme (Phil), Keldon C. Polacco and Connor C. Polacco; great grandfather of Gaetano Cafaldo; brother of Joan-Marie Komosa (Don) of Cape Cod and Saugerties, and the late Anthony Polacco, John Polacco, Charles "Beau" Polacco and Caroline Ferraro; Godfather of Tina Polacco Chambers and Dawn Welch Rich; uncle to many loving nieces and nephews on both sides of the family.

The Polacco family thanks Dr. Rick Esposito and staff for their support over the years. Gratitude is also extended to our neighbors for their caring help.

Friends may visit the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, 27 Smith Ave., Kingston on Wednesday, February 11th from 5pm to 8pm and Thursday, February 12th from 10am to 11am. A Funeral Service will then be conducted at 11am. Entombment will follow at Wiltwyck Community Mausoleum. In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital or Ulster Literacy, 480 Aaron Ct, Kingston, NY 12401.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Robert J. Gaus of Traver & McCurry Funeral Home, Catskill.