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James  Sulpizi
In Memory of
James  R
Sulpizi
1929 - 2017
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Obituary for James R Sulpizi

James  R  Sulpizi
Col. James R. Sulpizi (Ret.)



Jim passed away peacefully on March 23, 2017 at the Brandywine Nursing Home.

Colonel (Retired) James R. Sulpizi is known as the “Father of Aviation” in the Delaware Army National Guard, and was the first to be inducted into the State Aviation Hall of Fame. A kid from New Castle, he joined the Delaware Army National Guard in 1950 and served in the enlisted ranks until commissioned a second lieutenant in 1953. Graduating from Army flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama in 1957, he embarked on a distinguished career that led to his ultimate appointment as the first State Army Aviation Officer in the Delaware National Guard.
In 1963, Jim was appointed as the first commander of an organization known as the Army Aviation Support Facility, a position he held for 25 years. His position of overseeing the entire aviation program allowed hundreds of young officers, warrant officers and enlisted personnel the opportunity to become Army aviators and crewmembers, many which served careers in the Delaware National Guard. Jim was a highly decorated officer but his best-remembered achievement was his dramatic act of heroism in 1962. At high risk to his own life, the young captain rescued seven Coast Guardsmen and three Army Guardsmen from heavy Atlantic seas in gales far exceeding design limits of his single-passenger helicopter. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions.
Colonel Sulpizi retired in 1984 with more than 5,000 helicopter and fixed-wing flight hours.
Jim was a parishioner of both St. Peter’s and Our Lady of Fatima. He was proud to be A Man of Malvern for over 35 years.
Son of the late Assunta and Francesco Sulpizi. Jim was also preceded in death by his sister Mary Finachirro and his brother Frank Sulpizi. Jim leaves behind a host of relatives and friends.
The family would like to thank the staff of Somerford Place, Brandywine Nursing Home and Seasons Hospice for their dedicated care of Jim.

Relatives and friends may visit at the Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home, 1400 Kirkwood Hwy, Elsmere, DE 19805 on Tuesday, March 28 from 6:00 – 8:00.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Peter the Apostle Church, 521 Harmony Street, New Castle, DE 19720 on Wednesday, March 29 at 10:00 AM.

Interment will be in the Cathedral Cemetery, 2400 Lancaster Ave, Wilmington, DE 19805 following mass.

In lieu of flowers please make contributions in Jim’s name to Seasons Hospice, 220 Continental Drive Suite 407, Newark, DE 19713

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of James R Sulpizi, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

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