James Joseph Barsi

James Joseph "Jim" Barsi a longtime Watsonville businessman, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to countless members of the local community passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on January 26, 2026, at the age of 83.

Jim was born in Boston, Massachusetts on May 21, 1942, to his parents James Joseph E. Barsi and Louise E. Barsi (nee Dalton). He was born prematurely at a weight of less than four pounds but against all odds survived. Jim spent his early childhood and grammar school years in Sappington Missouri, a suburb of Saint Louis, where his father was an executive for Anheuser Busch. It was there that he was instilled with midwestern values and a strong work ethic that would sustain him and those he loved for a generation. Jim lost his mother at the age of 13 to cancer and his father in a tragic automobile accident at the age of 15 in 1957. Jim, a passenger, survived the car accident despite sustaining serious injuries and remaining in a coma for nearly two weeks. Against the odds and his doctor's prevailing prognosis he awoke from his coma and recovered completely. Shortly before and then following the accident he resided with relatives in Watsonville and graduated from Mora High School where he made lifetime friends. Jim then attended the University of San Francisco and returned to Watsonville where he lived for the next 63 years until his death.

In 1963 Jim met and married the love of his life Mary Larscheid and they would remain happily married for almost 63 years until his death. Jim and Mary raised four children and built and operated a successful family business, "Barsi's Liquors", for over 50 years. It was through his business that he met countless friends and customers encompassing generations of the Watsonville and Pajaro Valley community. Jim loved his community and the hard-working honest people who live and work in Pajaro Valley and Watsonville. During his five decades in business he quietly contributed numerous hours of his time to local community and charitable organizations such as Watsonville Jaycees, The Tavern Tourney, The Spring Lamb Annual Barbeque for Cancer Research and as an elected Commissioner on the Board of the Salsipuedes Fire District (later merged with Cal Fire) where he helped to shepherd the district through the aftermath of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Jim was also responsible for an untold number of acts of kindness toward members of his community who were struggling. Some of these acts of kindness by him have only recently been disclosed to his family since his passing. Jim often told his children: "Someone gave you a break or opportunity in life make sure you give someone else a break."

Jim had a deep and abiding faith in God and practiced his Catholic faith humbly in his daily actions. Despite being an only child and losing both of his parents at an early age he was blessed with a large and loving family. Jim is survived by his loving wife, Mary; his children, Michael (Rosemary) Barsi, Paulette Barsi, Tom (Kim) Barsi and Joe (Leanne) Barsi; his grandchildren, (who affectionately called him "Papa") Clint Barsi, Alexis "Lexi" Barsi, Joe Gugale, Melissa Mennella, Jack Gugale, Madison Hart, Tyler Barsi, Ryan Barsi, Josie Keating, Billy Barsi, Gabriella "Gabby" Galvan, Karlie Barsi; as well as his great grandchildren, Brooks Hart and Amelia Gugale. Jim aka 'Papa" fought the good fight, he finished the race, he never lost faith and for that we are all fortunate. He will forever be in our hearts.

A viewing and rosary will be held at Mehl's Colonial Chapel ~ 222 E. Lake Avenue, Watsonville, on Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with rosary starting at 7:00 pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11am on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church ~ 19101 Bear Creek Road, Los Gatos, CA 95033.

A private burial will be held at a later date.

Published in The Pajaronian · February 3, 2026