Jimmy was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin on December 11, 1932 to Angelo and Angeline DeSantis. He had an older sister, Ann and a younger brother, John. His family was a part of a very large Italian population that settled in Kenosha starting in the early 1900s.
Jimmy was raised a Catholic and was an altar boy in his youth. We had last rites given to him by Father Luis Gerardo Pena before he died.
He was the first in his family to attend college, graduating from the University of Wisconsin with an accounting degree in 1956 after a two-year stint in the U.S.Navy. He joined the National Cash Register Company and worked for them selling accounting machines for ten years in both Iowa and California. In 1976, he purchased Darling Floors in Los Angeles and enjoyed being his own boss for 24 years until he retired in 2000.
In 1964, he married Joann Helten, and they enjoyed 60 years of marriage together this January. Their first daughter, Dina, was born in 1965, their second daughter, Chrissy, in 1967 and their son, Dominic in 1971. Even though he was very busy running his business, he never missed an athletic or academic event that involved his children. They have 10 grandchildren, ranging in age from 16 to 34, who all live close by, so he could see them all frequently. They bought their first home in Sepulveda in 1966 and have lived in Northridge for the last 52 years
Words that describe Jimmy are optimistic, spontaneous, never complaining, extremely energetic with a great sense of humor. He was the ultimate family man — family meant everything to him.
He was loved by all who knew him, and we will miss him.
A "Celebration of Life" for James will be held on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Northridge United Methodist Church, 9650 Reseda Boulevard, Northridge.
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