1941
James
2012
James Vito Amella
March 30, 1941 — January 9, 2012
James Vito Amella, 70, husband of Elaine Jensen Amella of Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2012, after a short illness. Relatives and friends are invited to a Gathering of Friends to celebrate Jim's life on Saturday, January 14, 2012, in J. HENRY STUHR MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL from 2:00 until 4:00 pm.
Jim was born on March 30, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York son of the late Alfred Amella and Anna Falsitta Amella. He graduated from Parson's School of Design – Industrial Design in 1961, New York University – BA Education in 1963 and Lehman College, CUNY – MS in Therapeutic Services in 1987. He served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1965. He worked as an International Banker with Citibank in New York City; was also a Recreation Therapist, and Director of Alzheimer's care units in nursing homes in New York City, Tucson, Arizona, and Charleston, SC. Jim served on the faculty in gerontology at Lehman College, CUNY, Saint Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, NY and Trident Technical College in Charleston, SC. He was an active member of the Charleston Artist Guild and volunteer with Respite Care Ministries. He also worked on his life-long pursuit of oil painting for which he received several awards. Jim loved music, especially playing the guitar and was a volunteer performer at nursing homes. He was a mentor to many, many students with whom he remained connected long after they graduated. One of Jim's favorite pastimes was working the New York Times crosswords, in pen, while sharing coffee with friends.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine Amella of Mt. Pleasant, SC; one son, Damon Amella and his wife, Shawna, of Mt. Pleasant, SC; one daughter, Catherine Snyder and her husband, John, of Shelburne Falls, MA; grandchildren, Anthony, Bennett, Starr and Skyye; one brother, Vito Amella of North Bellmore, NY and one sister, Leonora Mineo of Oakdale, NY and eight nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Respite Care Ministries, 405 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403 or www.respitecarecharleston.org an organization that Jim supported.
Jim was born on March 30, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York son of the late Alfred Amella and Anna Falsitta Amella. He graduated from Parson's School of Design – Industrial Design in 1961, New York University – BA Education in 1963 and Lehman College, CUNY – MS in Therapeutic Services in 1987. He served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1965. He worked as an International Banker with Citibank in New York City; was also a Recreation Therapist, and Director of Alzheimer's care units in nursing homes in New York City, Tucson, Arizona, and Charleston, SC. Jim served on the faculty in gerontology at Lehman College, CUNY, Saint Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, NY and Trident Technical College in Charleston, SC. He was an active member of the Charleston Artist Guild and volunteer with Respite Care Ministries. He also worked on his life-long pursuit of oil painting for which he received several awards. Jim loved music, especially playing the guitar and was a volunteer performer at nursing homes. He was a mentor to many, many students with whom he remained connected long after they graduated. One of Jim's favorite pastimes was working the New York Times crosswords, in pen, while sharing coffee with friends.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine Amella of Mt. Pleasant, SC; one son, Damon Amella and his wife, Shawna, of Mt. Pleasant, SC; one daughter, Catherine Snyder and her husband, John, of Shelburne Falls, MA; grandchildren, Anthony, Bennett, Starr and Skyye; one brother, Vito Amella of North Bellmore, NY and one sister, Leonora Mineo of Oakdale, NY and eight nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Respite Care Ministries, 405 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403 or www.respitecarecharleston.org an organization that Jim supported.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Vito Amella, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Gathering
Saturday, January 14, 2012
2:00 - 4:00 pm
J. Henry Stuhr Mount Pleasant Chapel
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