James Joseph Refi

James Joseph Refi, 68, died at home in Atlanta on March 26 from complications of multiple myeloma, a disease he had battled for five years. He was born in Phoenixville, PA. He received a B.S. in electrical engineering from Villanova University and an M.S. from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. As a young engineer, he was hired by Bell Laboratories. He continued with that organization during several corporate reorganizations, ultimately retiring from Alcatel/Lucent. His professional focus was fiber optic cable, and he authored a textbook on the subject, Fiber Optic Cable: A Light Guide. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Paula Weidel Refi, son Karl Refi and daughter-in-law Emily Draper Refi, daughter Kathryn Refi, grandchildren Theo and Grace Refi, and siblings Irene Lee, Mary Straub, Margaret Dougherty, and Richard Refi. He was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Decatur, where he was active in the Knights of Columbus and Catholics for Life, among other parish organizations. The family will receive guests at A. S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home on Thursday, March 29, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:30 pm. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Thomas More Church on Friday at 10:00 am with Monsignor Paul Fogarty as celebrant, followed by burial in Decatur Cemetery. A reception will be held at the church afterward. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Thomas More Church.


Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033