James Santi LoCicero

COLUMBIA Services for James Santi LoCicero, of Columbia, will be held at Union United Methodist Church, Irmo, on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. A visitation will be held in the Fellowship Hall following the church service. A private memorial service for family will be held at a later date. Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, is assisting the family.

Mr. LoCicero died Thursday, March 6, 2025.

Born in Stamford, Connecticut, on September 16, 1930, he was the son of the late James LoCicero and Antonina Raiata LoCicero, who immigrated to the U.S. from Sicily. He was a graduate of Stamford High School and the University of Connecticut with a B.S. in agriculture and marketing of vegetable crops. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.

Mr. LoCicero was a longtime federal civil servant who epitomized the values of a dedicated, ethical and efficient government worker. He retired from the Defense Logistics Agency’s branch of the Defense Personnel Support Center as a purchasing, contracting and supply specialist in the procurement of perishable foods for the military services. The DLA recognized him with a Distinguished Career Award for 30 years of service. He served as a field buyer in the Shenandoah Valley, the Delmarva Peninsula and terminal markets in Washington, D.C., Tampa, Florida, and Columbia. He also retired from Harvest Hope Food Bank, Columbia, where he served as Operations Manager and food solicitor. Mr. LoCicero also worked as an independent contract inspector for several agencies on export shipments.

He was a member of Union United Methodist Church in Irmo for more than 50 years, a member of the Leitner-Fellowship Sunday school class, a longtime usher, and drove the church van for the Living Christmas Story for many years.

Mr. LoCicero served as a volunteer at Harvest Hope Food Bank, Lexington Medical Center and FoodShare South Carolina. He was an avid New York Yankees and baseball fan. His hobbies included gardening, walking and jogging, and he was known for his prolific production of summer tomatoes, blueberries, and figs. He completed five marathons as well as numerous 5K and 10K races.

Mr. LoCicero was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Billie Herd LoCicero, of Columbia. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Dan Koon, of Columbia; his son and daughter-in-law, Geoff and Allison LoCicero, of Richmond, Virginia; his grandchildren, Daniel Koon, of Columbia, and Anna Koon, of Tallahassee, Florida; nieces, nephews and other family and friends; and a special companion in Betty Forsyth. He was predeceased by his parents and four older sisters, Nancy Francesconi, Frances Amico, Helen LoCicero and Adeline Veneziano.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Union United Methodist Church Building Fund, Harvest Hope Food Bank, FoodShare SC or Leeza’s Care Connection.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.