Obituary - James "Jim" Carlo Barsotti

James “Jim” Carlo Barsotti, 77, of Havre passed away Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, due to natural causes.

Cremation has taken place and a vigil will be held Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, at 7 p.m. at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Havre. His funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017, at St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church in Big Sandy with burial to follow at the Big Sandy Cemetery.

Jim was born in Havre, Montana, May 20, 1940, to Alvero “Alfred” and Mary (D’Angelo) Barsotti. He attended school at St. Jude’s Elementary where he met his future wife, Jean Yeon, and graduated from Havre Central High School in 1958.

He graduated from Northern Montana College with a degree in education in 1963 and later earned a master’s degree at Washington State University. Jim was employed by the Big Sandy School District for 39 years; 16 as a full-time English teacher and 23 years as the high school principal and French instructor.

During his educational career, he founded the Speech, Debate and Drama program where he enthusiastically led the Big Sandy Pioneers speech team, and was affectionately known as “Mr. B.” In 1984, he was selected as Montana Secondary School Principal of the Year and was awarded a Service Citation Award by the Montana High School Association in 1985. He received recognition as the State Speech Coach of the Year three times and was voted into the Montana Forensics Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1989.

He retired from education in 2002 because of various health complications. Teaching students and coaching them in speech competition were the most enjoyable parts of his educational career and his team adored him, which they expressed by swapping his name into the Mickey Mouse Club theme song. Jim could be found at the school carnival every year yelling out his trademark: Balla – Balla!

Jim enjoyed many activities in his free-time including serving as Cub Scout master, hunting, fishing, reading, watching documentaries and westerns, and visiting with former students, other teachers and coaches, and numerous friends and relatives. Jim’s family was important to him and he often took his grandchildren hunting and fishing. He loved to spend time in Glacier National Park and one year made the trip four times. His favorite area was Apgar Village on Lake McDonald.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ray Barsotti; sister, Annie Hirsch; and nephew, David Hirsch.

He is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, Jean of Havre; sons, Kevin (Karrie) Barsotti of Havre and Roger Barsotti of Great Falls; daughter, Charlys (Adrian) Doucette of Great Falls; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; niece, Mary Beth (David) Sheppard; and nephew, Mike (Joy) Barsotti.

Memorials in Jim’s name may be made to the Big Sandy Library; American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215; or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Jim’s online memorial page at http://www.hollandbonine.com to leave a message of condolence for his family.