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James J. Bartlett, 74, of Mooresville, NC, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2024 at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. He was born and raised on Long Island, NY. Although he had to develop a tough exterior as a child, he still kept his loving heart protected and true to who he was born to be. If you were lucky enough to know him, he was rough on the outside and a big mush on the inside. He was that guy that made everyone smile, laugh and feel safe. No matter what your dilemma was, he assured you it would be ok and he will take care of it. He may not have been a hugger but you still felt his love, and he did more good deeds every year than most people do in their entire lives. Jim never needed praise or recognition, and he often helped without anyone even knowing that he helped them. He had a strong presence and booming voice that clearly communicated what was on his mind, and if that didn't work, he pulled out the big guns - F#@& you with a flip of the finger. He only shared a few stories from growing up. Three that come to mind are 1 - the time his favorite aunt took him on a road trip upstate, they didn't have a lot of money so they packed sandwiches for lunch. Along the way they stopped at a lake and while nobody noticed, Jim fed the sandwiches to the ducks because 'the ducks were hungry' - so they had no lunch that day. 2 - as a teen, he and his friends would go spear fishing by The OBI (Oak Beach Inn) off Fire Island. I'm sure they had a few beers and nearly speared each other, but he left that part out. 3 - his high school was close to the Belmont Racetrack, so at lunch he and his friends would take turns running to the track to place everyone's bets. He was in the plumbers union right out of high school and he quickly made quite an impression on everyone in his industry. He made some great friends who were as full of life, laughter and adventure as he was. They surely made an impression EVERYWHERE they went! Thankfully, they had Jim to keep them all in line. His skills and talent didn't stop at plumbing. He knew electrical, framing, concrete, mechanical, and more. His interests included fishing, gambling, woodworking, cars, true crime books, fixing everything that everyone else broke, tinkering around with random ideas and seeing where they led him, and sometimes looking for trouble (just kidding, sort of). Weekend mornings he loved sharing his breakfast burrito with Flora, he and Pats' much loved rescue dog. Jim and Pat married when they were both 20yrs old, devoted to making each other happy and building the life they wanted. They made a great team. They appear to be polar-opposite people, but they had the same values and goals - work hard, live happy, don't bitch about it, love their family and friends, learn how to do it yourself, and make the world a better place. With Pat as his right hand gal, they took a small simple house in Sayville, NY and little by little with their own blood, sweat, and tears, turned it into a beautiful home that even strangers would randomly ask to purchase. They raised their children Jimmy and Kelly to to be strong, independent, loyal and honest - just like them. Pat drove Jim crazy with all her 'little projects' that were never quick and easy, and Jim drove Pat crazy by not listening the first time, maybe not even the second time - but they always had love and devotion for each other. Jim and Pat moved to NC as soon as he retired, with their dream home built, they were excited to spend time with their grandchildren, Victoria and Christopher as they grew up. We all knew he would never REALLY retire, he's not one to sit still. Corvid was where he found his post-retirement full-time employment, where he was known as 'Pops'. he made some great friends who were as loyal to him, as he was to them. His group of friends there seemed to bring out his younger self. Jim was a member of the FOP where everyone knew 'Yankee Jim' for all the same amazing qualities as everyone else knew. That's one of the many true things about him - he was who he was, no matter where he was. Jim would drop everything in a second when his children needed help, and he continued that devotion to family, with his grandchildren. They came #1 on the priority list. Even if he was exhausted or his 'back and knees were screaming' as he would say - it didn't matter, because taking care of everyone is what made him happy at the end of the day. Even if it meant sitting in an uncomfortable auditorium chair or standing in a hot parking lot, forced to make small talk with complete strangers! In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, James M. Bartlett. Jim is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patricia Tietjen Bartlett; daughter and son-in-law, Kelly & Terrence Mahoney; grandchildren, Victoria and Christopher L. Bartlett (children of James M. Bartlett); and grandson, Christopher A. Mahoney (Son of Terrence Mahoney). Terrence and Christopher Mahoney joined the Bartlett family in 2008, and they were smart enough to know that when words are flying, to just stay quiet and stand back. They slowly blended in over the years and came to love all that Jim had to offer their lives. Everywhere he went he made friends and brought happiness, in his own unique ways, even as he made his daily stops for work or to the gas station. He went through life strong, thoughtful, loving and determined to do things his way, and that's how he lived until he was ready to be reunited with many family and friends who he missed so deeply. There's no doubt that he has big plans to clean up this world, even if he has to kick some ass from heaven, trust me, he'll find a way! No services will be held at this time. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Bartlett family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.

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James Joseph Bartlett

January 28, 1950 - September 13, 2024