James Pacatte-- Building Community 
 
“In short, Jim Pacatte is the 'go to' guy if a nonprofit or community group needs help with a project for the betterment of Sebastopol.”
-Nominator Michael McGlothlin of Sebastopol Locals Who Make a Difference Honoree James Pacatte 
 
James Pacatte, who celebrated his 80th birthday in January of this year, likes to say, “I do what I can, when I can.” Those “can-do’s” are many.  If there’s a community project that needs construction and contracting skills, it’s a good bet that Jim has had a hand in it. He’s currently overseeing the remodel of the kitchen at the Sebastopol Senior Center—a major undertaking. As part of the Rotary Noon Club, he’s helped out with the landscaping at the library and post office and has been involved with Helping Other People Day since its inception. The program is run by the Sebastopol Area Senior Center and helps seniors with small home improvement projects that they cannot do themselves. He installed the benches at the Sebastopol Library and helped to create the Peace Garden at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts. He’s participated in Rebuilding Together Sebastopol, the local chapter of a national non-profit that assists neighbors in need with necessary home safety repairs including plumbing, electrical work, home modifications, and other improvements, for the past 8 years. He led the team that undertook post-flood repairs at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center and has worked on the new playground and Garzot Building at Libby Park. 
 
Born in Greenville, Illinois, Jim moved to San Francisco while a teen. After a stint in the Army, he returned to the Bay Area and the construction industry and met his future wife and native San Franciscan Rosemarie while attending night school in South San Francisco. 
 
The Pacattes discovered Sebastopol when scoping out a location to build a retirement home for Rosemarie’s parents.  Once the home was complete, the couple relocated to Sebastopol with their three children, founded their construction company in Sonoma County, and began work on their own home here in 1980.
 
The Pacattes have three children, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. After handing over the reins of the construction company to the next generation about 14 years ago, Jim has been even more active in the community.  Son Doug, daughter Danielle, and Danielle’s husband Jimmie are now at the helm of the construction business. Daughter Dawn didn't stray far from her family roots—she runs a landscaping business in Windsor. The Pacattes are extremely proud of their children and grandchildren. 
 
Jim said upon being named a Local Who Makes a Difference, “I enjoy being helpful and keeping active. I like and respect the city of Sebastopol and am proud to be part of the community and help in any way that I can.”