James Angelo Tomasello

James Angelo Tomasello, born on March 17, 1932, (St. Patrick’s Day) in Buffalo, New York, passed away peacefully at his home in El Paso, Texas, on November 19, 2024, at the age of 92. He was surrounded by his loving family.

James is survived by his devoted wife of 70 years, Petra Tomasello, and his children, James Angelo Tomasello Jr. (Nancy Tomasello) and Sandra Tomasello Scharf (Donald Scharf). He leaves behind cherished grandchildren Ada Valerie Elsworth, Roman Esparza, Melanie Esparza, Tiffany Tomasello, Lance Tomasello, Haleigh Nicole Tomasello, James Michael Hernandez, and Sarah Danielle Hernandez, as well as 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son, Sammy Tomasello, his parents, Pauline Blando Tomasello and Samuel Tomasello, and his sisters, Mary Spiritosanto, Lena Kirsch, Petrina Andrusko, and Josephine Margiotta.

Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951, James honorably served until 1953. It was during this time he met his true love and future wife of 70 years Petra Holguin Chavez in El Paso, TX.

After they married on September 19, 1954, James and Petra returned to Buffalo, NY where he worked tirelessly to support his family and save for their future. and his promised return to El Paso, TX which his beloved wife Petra called “home.”

In 1959 James, Petra, and their 2 year old son Samuel Tomasello returned to El Paso where James invested in property, managed the Piggy Bank Gas Stations, and in 1973 began and bought Dunn’s Plumbing Company which his son James Angelo Tomasello Jr. later purchased and continues to run to this day.

James dedicated his life to his wife and family showing them by example to be passionate about any endeavor they chose to embark on. He consistently lived life to the fullest while putting other’s needs often ahead of his own.

James (affectionately, called “Jim” and “Sonny”) was a consistent peacemaker, devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, father figure to many, and cherished friend. He greatly enjoyed being with family, helping others, working, singing, arm wrestling, dancing, and having funny and thought-provoking conversations. He was a kid at heart - “riling up “all the kids at parties he attended.

Lastly and most importantly Jim was immensely kind, sincerely tolerant of others and different faiths, and yet a fierce defender of his own faith - always confident that there is so much more than just the here and now. He spoke with tremendous conviction of a God in heaven waiting to bring us all home. He often shared the beauty of the 10 commandments and how the world would be such a better place if everyone could follow them.

May we honor his name and investment in each of us by asking God to help us to always do what is right in God’s eyes. May we all live life to the fullest the way James did so we can once again truly honor his name and his love for us.