James Francis Biagi, 93, of Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on April 7, 2026 with his wife Vicki and family members by his side.
Jim was born in Waukegan, on April 10, 1932, to Joseph M. and Mary Ethlyn (Morrissey) Biagi. The family moved to his mother’s hometown of Elkhorn, where he attended school and later raised his family. He was a multi-sport athlete, active in student council, even prom king. He graduated from Elkhorn High School in 1950 and attended an extra year of college prep at Milwaukee Country Day School. He played football at Notre Dame University but left due to an injury. Jim earned his civil engineering degree from Marquette University where his father was one of his professors. There he met many lifelong friends and his wife Barbara Beck, whom he married in 1955 and had four children together. Barbara died in March of 2025.
Proud of his military service, he was called to duty in 1956 with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He served at the U.S. Army Engineer School in Fort Belvoir, Virginia and was Commander of the Combat Engineer Unit. He also served with the U.S. State Department under John Foster Dulles as a diplomatic courier to Europe. After his discharge in 1958 he worked for Great Lakes Dredge and Dock in Chicago and then back to Elkhorn where he and his father opened Engineers Associated Inc. In the late 60’s he bought two farms on the south shore of Lauderdale Lakes. With a dump truck, a road grader, and a dredge he built roads, cleaned out the bay, and subdivided the property.
Jim moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1984 and began a life with Vicki Lewerenz. They married in 1991 and shared 42 years together. When an Elkhorn native’s home was damaged by Hurricane Andrew, he asked Jim for help. This was the catalyst that opened Biagi and Associates Engineering in Fort Lauderdale. His reputation grew as a respected structural engineer in Broward County. He mentored many builders and architects.
Every Sunday for the past six years he joined his four kids in a ZOOM call. The conversations centered around sports, the events of the week, reminiscing and much laughter. Jim was an athlete throughout his life. He loved throwing the football with his boys in the yard or playing horse on their home court on Broad Street or the top of the hill at LL221. He especially loved snow skiing at Vail, upland game hunting in Wisconsin and traveling to Europe. He shared many trips with family and friends.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Ellen “Nan” Welsh and William “B-Joe” Biagi; and infant daughter Meg Biagi.
Jim leaves behind his wife Vicki of Lauderdale by the Sea; his four children. James “Jay” (Beth) Biagi of Park City, Utah, Daniel Biagi of Elkhorn, Jill (Jim) Loveless of Elkhorn, and Chris (Sophia) Biagi of Montego Bay, Jamaica; grandchildren, Courtney Biagi, Brittney Panfil, Taylor Biagi, Nick Biagi, Jenny Travis, Matt Biagi, Hailli Biagi, and Christopher “CJ” Biagi; five great grandchildren; mother-in-law Patricia Flynn; and sister-in-law Laurie (Jim) Ferris of Lake George, New York.
Please join the family for a visitation beginning 9:30 a.m. followed by Mass at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 107 W Walworth St., Elkhorn. The family invites friends to join them at Evergreen Golf Club from 1 until 4 p.m. A Service will be held in Fort Lauderdale at a later date.
Please donate to your local Blessing Box or St Patrick’s Catholic Church.
Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory of Elkhorn is honored to serve the Biagi family. Online condolences can be made at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.