James Micillo

James Micillo of Yonkers NY, passed away peacefully at the age of 97 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx. Jim was born June 21, 1926 in Brooklyn and lived there for most of his long life. He left school early to help support his four siblings. He served in the U.S. Army, 44th Infantry Division, marching from France into Germany, where he fought and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, and into Austria. Jim then served in the Merchant Marines, traveling to many ports, after which he worked with the NYC Transit Authority for most of his career.

Love of family was the motivating force in Jim's life. His brothers and sisters and many cousins (children of three sisters and one brother who immigrated with their parents from Italy in 1922) were close-knit and loving. Although he never had children of his own, he loved his sixteen nieces and nephews as if they were his own. "Uncle Jim" hosted family at his house in Greenwood Lake for years, teaching nieces and nephews to ski nearby and later (for some) to hunt. Love of food, cooking, and his Italian traditions were also very important to him, and he was a talented and generous cook. At the age of 60, he met his wife, Laurace ("Laurie") James, and became the beloved stepfather to Kristin and her husband Gary Friedman, and beloved Poppy to Sarah and Matthew. Jim and Laurie traveled, cooked, hosted memorable Christmases, and spent much of their time at their mountaintop house in Callicoon, NY.

Before moving recently to Sunrise of Crestwood Assisted Living Facility in Yonkers, Jim and Laurie lived in White Plains for nearly ten years, having moved from Brooklyn to be closer to Kristin and Gary in Scarsdale.

Jim is survived by his wife Laurace James; his sister Josephine Berinoto; cousins; fifteen of his sixteen nieces and nephews (treasured niece Maryann Bozza passed in 2017), and their children; Kristin and Gary; step-grandchildren Matthew Friedman and Sarah and Nathan Hersh; and great-granddaughter Rafaela Hersh.

A visitation for James will be held Monday, July 17, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Edwin L. Bennett Funeral Homes, 824 Scarsdale Ave, Scarsdale, NY 10583. The United States Army ceremonial detail unit will present Mr. Micillo's service flag to Mrs. Micillo before the Funeral Mass outside of the church (CARMAN ROAD BACK ENTRANCE) scheduled at 10:15AM. Following the United States Flag presentation there will be a Funeral Mass from 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church-Scarsdale, 8 Carman Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Calvary Hospital or to the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ELBennettFuneralHomes.com for the Micillo family.