James Squarcia ’74 CLAS
A first career in banking led to a second career in the Church
As an only child growing up in Easton, Pennsylvania, Jim Squarcia was blessed with parents who, although they had not attended college, were determined that their son would do so. When Jim discovered Villanova at a college night for prospective students, he made his decision, and it turned out to be the right one.
Jim was immediately attracted to Villanova for its Catholic identity and values. He remembers feeling that, as a freshman, he was not prepared to deal with the University’s academic rigor. He looks back on the tremendous support and understanding that Sr. Mary Margaret Cribben gave him in his early days.
At the beginning of Jim’s junior year, his father passed away suddenly. Again, Sr. Mary Margaret was there for him. The University stepped in and supported Jim by awarding him a scholarship for his senior year.
Shortly after graduating, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Trudy. Four children were born of their marriage. The Villanova legacy continued when their daughter, Melissa, chose Villanova. Very sadly, during Melissa’s time at the University, Trudy became ill and passed away in 2004. Jim remains especially grateful for the way the Villanova community embraced and supported Melissa during this very difficult period.
God again blessed Jim when friends introduced him to Jackie, who had also lost her spouse. The couple married in 2006. Jim retired, for the first time, in 2016. Although he was busy with children, grandchildren and Villanova basketball, something was calling Jim to do more. That something turned out to be his parish, St. Clare, in Swedesboro, New Jersey, where Jim works as parish Business Manager.
Even with his St. Clare work, Jim finds time for family and friends, including his Villanova buddies, Mike Kavanagh ’78 CLAS, Mark Mannix ’74 CLAS and Carl Zeglia ’74 CLAS. Villanova changed Jim’s life and he wanted to continue his strong connection to the University and make a lasting impact with a gift in his estate. Jim believes that when graduates reflect on what Villanova gave them, they will come to realize that the University had a part in whatever success they have had.
If you share Jim’s belief in the lasting impact of Villanova on your life, why not consider making a lasting impact on Villanova through a gift in your estate? To learn about the many ways you can make an estate gift, contact Tim McKinley at 215-240-0812 or timothy.mckinley@villanova.edu. The good you do will be your legacy.