James V Amato

NOV 26, 1960 - AUG 4, 2012

James Amato died peacefully at 12:40 AM on August 4th, 2012. His son, James Amato III, and his wife, Leticia Piazza, were by his side. During his final days James was uplifted by his "band of brothers" and his extended family. The faith, courage and humor he showed was a gift to those around him and allowed those he loved to accept and release him peacefully.

James was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to James and Ann Amato. His father died when James was very young, and Ann later remarried. James was raised in New Jersey and Maryland, and eventually his family moved to California in the mid-seventies. He was raised in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and attended Modesto Adventist Academy, graduating in 1979. James aspired to be a police officer and went to the Modesto Police Academy in 1981, eventually serving in both the Ceres and Hughson Police departments, as well as the California Youth Authority. After retiring from law enforcement in 1991, James was active in the security industry and served as a supervisor and in management for a variety of employers throughout the Central Valley. His experience and calm authority eventually lead him to Ontel Security, where he eventually bought the business. He was CEO and Chief of Operations for five years before entering semi-retirement in 2011 due to health issues.

James' proudest accomplishment was the birth of his son, James Amato, III, from his first marriage to Melanie Martinez in 1993. He later married Leticia Piazza in Monterey in 2001. He was a very active father, treasuring his young son. James had a razor wit, was an avid reader, and a wonderful storyteller. James had an amazing sense of humor, a vibrant imagination, and always strove to be someone his son could look up to. He fostered a strong circle of friends, many of whom he considered family. James loved his son James, his wife Leticia, his mother Ann, the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

James is survived by his wife Leticia Piazza, his son James Amato III, his sister Judy Perry Correia of Modesto and her children, Teri Meissner, Christie Pyle, and Lee Perry, as well as his sister Stephanie Mason of McKinleyville, CA, brother-in-law Bob Mason, and their children, Timothy Mason, Marissa Mason, Thomas Anders, Tiffany Anders, and Dayna Kelley, all of whom he loved dearly. "Bro" will be dearly missed by his band of brothers, David Ackerman, Steve and Jason Spence, Scott Meader, Mike Ackerman, Andre Powell and Ken Wedel.

A private service in his memory will be held in Monterey on August 11, 2012 and he will be laid to final rest in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Gospel Outreach, P.O. Box B, College Place, WA 99324.