James Theodore Stanceu

James “Jim” Stanceu, 72, died of accidental injuries at his home in Stow, Ohio on December 30, 2023.

Jim attended Hoover High School (class of 1969), and graduated summa cum laude from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in 1974. He was an outstanding writer and was awarded a full scholarship in journalism to The University of California at Berkeley, but chose instead to pursue a career in law, graduating cum laude, from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1979.

Prior to attending law school, Jim was a social worker in the Child Protective Services division of the Stark County Welfare Department, where he investigated serious cases of child abuse and neglect. He began his legal career in private practice in Dayton, Ohio before joining the jet engine division of General Electric in Cincinnati, and then Milwaukee, where he handled labor relations. He later returned to the private practice of law in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. He was a member of the Ohio State Bar Association.

Jim was also a gifted photographer, creating many beautiful photographs as a member of the Cleveland Photographic Society.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Stanceu and Mitzi (Coman) Stanceu Mewhinney, as well as his step-father, Richard Mewhinney and step-brother, Gregg Mewhinney. He is survived by his daughter, Lindsay Stanceu, son, Adam Stanceu, sister Patricia (Bob) Hallissy, brother, the Honorable Judge Timothy (Mary Incontro) Stanceu, step-sisters, Dr. Joyce (Michael) Eaker, Nancy Dunderman, and Carolyn (Ron) Pastoria, niece Christy Hallissy, and great-niece, Amira Urbine.

A burial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, January 16, at Forest Hill Cemetery, 4414 Cleveland Ave. N.W. in Canton. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Karlo-Libby Funeral Home is handling arrangements.