James was born April 15, 1952, to Robert and Agnes Davis Critell.

A loving husband to Mary Ann for almost 44 years and proud father and father-in-law to Matthew (Monica), Katie (James Goppert) and Jonathon (Erika), Jim / Jimmy — as most knew him — took great pride in serving the needs of others. During his life well-lived, Jim took the lessons applied to him while receiving a Master of Divinity at the Athenaeum of Ohio by serving the Catholic Youth Soccer League as coach, director and proud sideline dad. Jimmy could often be found supporting various groups and agencies at his parish in Boardman as well. These efforts were all in accompaniment with a 40-plus-year career serving both Portage and Mahoning County Boards of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.

Jim’s passion for all things in life, especially his love of his favorite teams, the Philadelphia Flyers and Indiana Hoosiers, reached its peak as the title of Papa to his beautiful granddaughters, Madelyn and Ellie (Matt and Monica), Grace and Hope (James and Katie), and Lilijana, Mia and Francesca (Jonathon and Erika).

A memorial Mass will be 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at St. Catherine of Siena Parish-St. Luke Church, 5235 South Ave., Boardman.

The family will receive relatives and friends in the church hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the Critell family requests material tributes to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Donation Processing Center, P.O. Box 5041, Boone, IA 50950.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. Family and friends of James may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to give condolences to the Critell family.

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James Richard Critell 1952-2026

YOUNGSTOWN — James Richard Critell passed away peacefully after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer on Sunday, July 5, 2026.

James was born April 15, 1952, to Robert and Agnes Davis Critell.

A loving husband to Mary Ann for almost 44 years and proud father and father-in-law to Matthew (Monica), Katie (James Goppert) and Jonathon (Erika), Jim / Jimmy — as most knew him — took great pride in serving the needs of others. During his life well-lived, Jim took the lessons applied to him while receiving a Master of Divinity at the Athenaeum of Ohio by serving the Catholic Youth Soccer League as coach, director and proud sideline dad. Jimmy could often be found supporting various groups and agencies at his parish in Boardman as well. These efforts were all in accompaniment with a 40-plus-year career serving both Portage and Mahoning County Boards of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.

Jim’s passion for all things in life, especially his love of his favorite teams, the Philadelphia Flyers and Indiana Hoosiers, reached its peak as the title of Papa to his beautiful granddaughters, Madelyn and Ellie (Matt and Monica), Grace and Hope (James and Katie), and Lilijana, Mia and Francesca (Jonathon and Erika).

A memorial Mass will be 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at St. Catherine of Siena Parish-St. Luke Church, 5235 South Ave., Boardman.

The family will receive relatives and friends in the church hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the Critell family requests material tributes to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Donation Processing Center, P.O. Box 5041, Boone, IA 50950.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. Family and friends of James may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to give condolences to the Critell family.

(special notice)