Father James Sam Dabruzzi age 87 of Hudson was born to eternal rest Saturday, November 1st, 2014 at Little Sisters of The Poor Nursing Home in St. Paul. Fr. Jim was born September 4, 1927 at his home in Hudson; the son of Sam and Lizzie (Sirianni) Dabruzzi. Fr. Jim enjoyed a quiet childhood along with his eight siblings. He walked a mile to school each day, uphill if you asked him, to St. Patrick’s Parochial School. It was during these years he heard his calling to become a Catholic priest. After graduating from 8th grade at St. Patrick’s in 1941, he, with blessing from his parents and the assistance of his mentor Monsignor Owens, enrolled in the Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio. And thus began his great adventure in serving Christ. On the joyous day of May 30, 1953, Fr. James Giovanni Cicognani, the official representative of the Pope, ordained him a Catholic Priest.

Following his ordination, he would return to Hudson and have a solemn ceremony followed by his first Solemn mass said on June 13, 1953.  Fr. Jim proudly served over 42 years with the Superior Diocese for such congregations as: St. Mary’s in Hurley, St. Isaac Jogues in Mercer, St. Louis in Washburn, St. Joseph’s in Rice Lake, St. Robert Bellarmine in Merrill, St. Joseph’s in Osceola, and St. Joseph in Hayward. 

In 1995, he retired from full time pastoral care and returned to his hometown of Hudson, where he assisted local parishes who needed extra help.  In his free time, Fr. Jim loved visiting with friends, eating good food (Mostly Italian), and going to the movies. He took pleasure in his travels, not only throughout the United States, but abroad as well.

Through listening and gentleness; his caring, sharing, and forgiving approach, while celebrating the sacraments of faith, gave him the utmost pleasure and made a difference in the lives of many.  Fr. Jim was filled with gratitude to the Lord for his blessings and guidance throughout his life, and in his death wishes only the same for all of us.

Fr. Jim is survived by his siblings Caroline Zappa, Lucy Hentges, Albert Dabruzzi, Dorothy Mezzenga, Doris (James) Reine, sister-in-law Esther Dabruzzi, as well as his nieces and nephews.  

He is preceded in death by his siblings Margaret (James) Meyer, Samuel Dabruzzi, Frank Dabruzzi, brothers/sisters-in-law John Zappa, Donald Hentges, and Diane Dabruzzi.

Funeral Mass for Fr. Jim will be 11AM Thursday, November 6th at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hudson. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with casketbearers being Tom Johnson, Nancy Johnson, Jim Dabruzzi, Terry Heiman, Tim Mezzenga, and Jim Hentges. Honorary casketbearers will be his nieces and nephews, as well as Diocesan board of the council women. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4 to 7PM with a prayer service and rosary led by Deacon Jim Meyer starting at 6:30 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home. Memorials are preferred to Catholic Relief Services, 228 Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-3413.