Rosanne Carol James

Through her colorful journey, Rosanne touched many lives with wisdom, humor, strength and, most of all, her incredible generosity. A life-long friend to all she met, Rosanne was always giving – To know her was to receive a gift from her.

With a larger-than-life personality, Rosanne never met a stranger as she had an innate ability to strike up a conversation – and often a friendship – everywhere she went. Her gregarious, outgoing nature led Rosanne to living out a love story that, to this day, feels straight out of a Hollywood screenplay.

Rosanne fell in love and married her late husband, Thomas (Tom) James, on February 19, 1966. Their marriage spanned 58 incredible years and was the true definition of love. Starting under the most dire of circumstances, eighteen year-old Rosanne visited Tom in the hospital each day after he’d broken his neck in an automobile accident. Over the course of several months, she’d sit with Tom as he rested and rehabilitated in a full body cast - Creating a loving bond that would last the rest of their lives.

Rosanne and Tom started their family in Astoria, Queens, NY with the birth of their first son Thomas Jr. in 1971. The family soon moved to Long Island where their second son, David, was born in 1975. They spent 13 years at their home in Muttontown - Celebrating holidays and countless family milestones. In 1986, Tom's career relocated him to New Jersey and the family settled in Franklin Lakes.

Making people happy made Rosanne happy. Always available at a moment’s notice if needed, she was defined by her devotion to family. When it came to her husband, children, grandchildren and beloved siblings – Mary, Beatrice, Theresa, Sally and Joseph – there was nothing she wouldn’t do.

She also loved traveling with her family (especially cruises), doting on her five grandchildren, donating her time to charity (Salesian Sisters), her many pets, flowers (particularly her namesake Roses), entertaining and cooking. In fact, almost anyone who’s ever tried Rosanne’s “famous” homemade meatballs will attest, they’re the best they’ve ever tasted.

Rosanne was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas, parents, Rosario and Mary Colletti, sisters, Mary, Beatrice, Teresa, and Sally, and brother, Joseph. She is survived by her two sons, Thomas and David (Dana), grandchildren Devin, Peyton, Connor, Ryan and Molly and countless nieces, nephews and friends she loved dearly.

Rosanne often shared how lucky she felt to have lived a long life filled with wonderful experiences, great friends and loving family. She truly embodied the adage of a life well-lived.