Obituary of James J. Mannino

James (Vincenzo) J. Mannino, 88, of Rome, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at the Siegenthaler Center, New Hartford, NY. He was born in San Giuseppe Jato, Sicily on February 2, 1921 to Charles (Rosario) and Maria (Lombardo) Mannino. As a young boy, he immigrated to America with his mother to join his father in Frankfort, NY. James worked at Remington Arms in Herkimer before joining the U.S. Army during World War II. He served at Fort Lewis, WA and at Angel Island, CA as a medical technician. On July 16, 1944, he married Isabel Mercurio at Star of the Sea Church in San Francisco, CA. Upon his honorable discharge, he and his wife and daughter settled in Rome, NY. He worked at Griffiss AFB and later retired from Rome Manufacturing. James enjoyed hunting and target shooting as a young man. He also fondly recalled many family picnics and card games with relatives. He was a self-taught "jack-of-all-trades". Whenever a family member needed something done, "Call Jimmy", was the standard phrase uttered. He would often be found puttering around in his tool shed and enjoyed carpentry. James was a NY Yankees fan, and always regaled his family with stories of his beloved '36 Dodge. His favorite food was peanut butter - especially on toast dunked in coffee, and any type of sweet dessert or candy. James leaves his wife Isabel, daughter and son-in-law Joan and Mark Lomery, Rome; two grandchildren, Ashley Lomery and husband Kevin Lisewski, Philadelphia, PA and Justin Lomery and companion Kaiza Losch, Los Angeles, CA. He also leaves a very special great-granddaughter, Elaina Lomery, Rome. He is survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law, Thomas and Frances (Scalzo) Mannino, Utica, and Samuel and Beverly (Nero) Mannino of Marietta, GA, and brother-in-law Larry Migliori, Rome. He leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews around the country and in Italy. He was predeceased by his brother, Corporal John Mannino, who died April 9, 1945 in Germany during WWII; two brother-in-laws and their spouces, George and Mary (Navelli) Mercurio, Joseph and Dorothy (Stumpo) Mercurio, by his sister-in-law Helen (Mercurio) Scalero and her husband August Scalero, and sister-in-law Rose (Mercurio) Migliori. In addition, he was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Maria (Lombardo) Mannino and in-laws Rosario and Angela (Froio) Mercurio. James' family wishes to thank the staff and volunteers at the Siegenthaler Center for their compassionate caregiving during his illness. They also appreciate the care and guidance of the 2nd floor staff at Bethany Gardens. Special gratitude to Rosemary Olender and Karen Fellows for their support and presence through James' last days. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, where friends are invited to attend. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. Friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St. on Saturday from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Siegenthaler Center, 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413.