Obituary of James Lacalamita

Jim was born June 3, 1952 in Queens, New York to Tony and Hitomi Lacalamita. Growing up as an ?Army Brat?, Jim had the opportunity to live in several countries but moved to the Monterey Peninsula in 1968 when his father was stationed at Fort Ord. Just a few short years after moving to the peninsula Jim met Sharon Brassfield and in 1971 they were married. In 1973 Jim and Sharon welcomed a daughter, Terri and then again in 1978 another daughter, Toni. The family settled down in a home in Seaside for 20+ years. In 1974 Jim built his own company, Peninsula Communications, that stemmed from his love of two-way radio communications. This love for radios began at the age of 16 when he received his first Amateur Radio license. He built up his company on the basis of providing the best possible communications to the community. Over the years Jim was involved in many projects in our local area. During the visit of Pope John Paul II he designed the communications system that was used for the event. During the Loma Prieta Earthquake, Jim and his staff spent countless hours around the clock to get communications re-established in Santa Cruz County for rescue workers. He worked with Motorola and secured a donation of two-way radios for use in the relief and cleanup efforts after the earthquake as well. Most recently Jim helped secure, develop and install an Amateur Radio repeater location at Point Sur to assist the Big Sur amateur radio community with better range and as an added feature to assist with the Big Sur International Marathon communications needs. Through his business, Jim supported many organizations over the years with donations of radios. Some of these organizations are First Night, SPCA Monterey County, Spirit West Coast, AT&T Pro-Am, First Tee, Baker to Vegas Run, Relay for Life, The Boy Scouts of America and the Monterey County Sheriff?s Explorer Post. Jim?s support of our local law enforcement whether in business or as a volunteer spanned his life here in Monterey county. In his early years volunteering Jim was a member of the Police Communications Reserve which provided communication services for Monterey Police Department during special events. Later, Jim began volunteering for SCRAMP and eventually became the Director of Communications for SCRAMP at Laguna Seca for more than 20 years. In his tenure there he designed and implemented a complete and self supported communications system for the racetrack. Because of his support for law enforcement he became a member of the Sheriff?s Advisory Council and for a few years served on the board of directors of that organizations. Out of that relationship Jim came to work with the Sheriff?s Emergency Assistance Team (SEAT), an organizations that provides logistical support for local law enforcement agencies. Jim served as the Commander for many years and helped elevate the organizations visibility as an asset in the law enforcement community. Jim?s most recent venture into volunteering, and closest to his heart, was Monterey County Search and Rescue Dogs, Inc. As a founding member this had become a passion for Jim. This organization incorporated so many things dear to his heart, law enforcement, helping the community, radios both professional and amateur and last but not least his beautiful golden retriever Lady. MCSARD is an organization that trains both handlers and dogs for wilderness air scent and tracking search and rescue. Jim?s zest for life and love for volunteering can be summed up with just a few words, the motto adopted by MCSARD, ?So Others May Live?. He lived this motto every day and it was his true belief. As a credit to all of his years volunteering Jim had the honor of being recognized as a Jefferson Award honoree in 2007 by KSBW. This was truly an honor for Jim, who never sought the limelight for his endeavors. Jim preferred to stay in the background to see to the details that made everything run smoothly. Jim?s drive as a businessman and dedicated volunteer will live on in his family and friends. His wife will, with the help of the family, keep his dedication and commitment to the community?s communications needs by running the business she helped grow. She will also continue to work with MCSARD with her dog Cassie. His daughters also share their father?s love for the community. Terri will head up the office and follow in his footsteps to run Peninsula Communications with the help of her mother, husband, sister and dedicated staff. She also stays involved with the various organizations her children are involved in, volunteering her time to those organizations. Toni has gained her father?s love for assisting law enforcement. She is a member of Monterey County Search and Rescue Dogs, Inc and is training to become a certified handler with her dog. She too is also involved with her son?s various organizations and volunteers her time to those organizations. The youngest members of Jim?s family, his biggest fans and the apples of Jim?s eyes were his grandchildren, Ryan, Dylan, Alyssa and Anthony. They were his greatest passion when he wasn?t helping the community. In each of their own ways, they have also adopted his love for helping others. Ryan, being the oldest, is following in his grandfather?s footsteps in his love for law enforcement, search and rescue and Amateur Radio. Being the oldest the torch has been passed on to him to help his brother, sister and cousin better understand the love and passion their grandfather had for helping others. Funeral service to be held Wednesday June 22, 2011 at 1:30 PM in the chapel of Mission Memorial Park and Seaside Funeral Home, 1915 Ord Grove Avenue, Seaside, CA. For more details please visit www.seasidefunerals.com The family asks that in lieu of flowers that donations be sent to: Monterey County Search and Rescue Dogs, Inc. P.O. Box 10519 Salinas, CA 93912