James "Jim" M. Elliott, Jr.

James “Jim” M. Elliott, Jr., 71, of Machesney Park, IL passed away Thursday, December 16, 2021. Jim was born on November 14, 1950 in Flint, MI., the son to Jeretta Sue and James M.Elliott, Sr. Jim moved to Loves Park, IL with his parents at a young age, attending Marshall elementary school, Harlem Junior High and Harlem High School, graduating in 1968. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force in Southeast Asia at Kurat Air Force Base, Thailand where he worked on the flight line as a fuel specialist. Jim was honorably discharged as Sergeant, E4 and released from active duty December 9, 1973. Jim dedicated his career to helping veterans and their families, as a therapist and counselor with the Veteran’s Administration, specializing in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Sexual Abuse and Substance Abuse. Jim retired from the Rockford Vet Center in 2017. Jim also taught for 21 years as adjunct instructor in mental health for the Human Services Department at Rock Valley College, retiring in 2015, helping students and professionals get the proper credit units for licensure. He was a healing soul, loving friend and spiritual mentor to many. Jim married the love of his life and soul-mate, Vincenza LaLoggia on April 30, 1999, bringing together a family with five beautiful children. Above everything in Jim’s life, he so loved being a family man and loved all times spent with family and friends gathered. Jim and Vinnie loved time spent at their lake home loving each other, walking and talking away the day and having cookouts with family and friends on the weekends. Jim was the most loving husband, father, Nano, son and brother. Our hero is terribly missed, remembering his gentle voice, calming words and fierce love for his wife and family.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Vincenza (LaLoggia) Elliott; children, James M. (JoEmely Ramirez ) Elliott III, Stephanie A. Cacciatore, Philip S. (Ashley) Cacciatore, Brandon P. Elliott, Kayla M. (Wesley) Elliott-Wildman and Alexis T. Cacciatore; grandchildren, Landon Beres, Skylar Ronan, Dominick Lissa, Brooklynn Cacciatore, Nora Cacciatore; father, James M. Elliott, Sr.; sister, Kelley Elliott; father-in-law, Salvatore (Judy) LaLoggia; brother-in-law, Michael G.(Ranita) LaLoggia and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his mother, Jeretta Sue Elliott.
The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the kind and caring doctors and staff of 2 south and CCU at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center.
Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m., with a eulogy to be shared at 3:00 p.m. followed by military honors at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road Rockford, IL 61108. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rock House Kids, Rockford, IL and St. Jude Children Research Hospital (stjude.org).