Jim was born in Manhattan on May 21st, 1949 to Octavio and Lucy Matteotti. He was raised in a quintessential Italian-American home in Teaneck, NJ, alongside his older brother Frank and his twin brother John “JB.” Family Christmas Eves were filled with renditions of “Funiculì, Funiculà" and accompanied by Lucy’s famous ravioli that her boys swore tasted better when dipped in wine.
After finishing high school in Teaneck, Jim attended Rockland Community College and then transferred to SUNY Albany. In 1970, a year before he would graduate, Jim welcomed his first child Elizabeth. In 1971, after graduating with a Bachelor of Science, he moved his family to Suffern, NY, and started his first job as an accountant at Cohen, Fasman, and Zucker. In Suffern, Jim’s family grew to include his two sons Christopher and Andrew with their mother, his first wife, Kathy. Jim played softball on Sundays and coached his kids’ sports teams, and as the years passed he built a community of life-long friends in Suffern. In 1986, he and two friends introduced Suffern (and Rockland) to the best wings south of Buffalo when they opened Sutter’s Mill on the corner of Route 59 and Airmount Road. It was during this time, in the early 80’s when he and his partner Larry Brown hung out a shingle and started their own accounting firm. Over the next four decades, he dedicated many long hours serving businesses and individuals all across Rockland County.
In 1987 Jim met his long-time partner Tsilla Flint and took her on their first date to see a Leonard Bernstein concert in Tanglewood, MA. From that day on they attended concerts, traveled around the country playing golf, or spent hours in the bleachers as they watched Chris and Andy’s wrestling matches. Birthdays and milestones were celebrated with elaborate dinners, always starting with the cold seafood platter at the River Palm Steakhouse in Mahwah. Tsilla and Jim took advantage of their time together up until 2015 when she lost her battle with cancer.
In the latter part of his life, if he wasn’t working, he could be found at Spook Rock golf course. It was his second home. Jim loved nothing more than spending sun filled days on the course, golfing with friends and enjoying a cocktail. It was while on a golf trip to the Dominican Republic with friends from Spook Rock that he would meet Mayelin, whom he would marry in 2017. Together they spent time dancing, dining, and enjoying gatherings with friends. Stepchildren Eddie and Leidy completed Jim’s new modern family.
Jim leaves behind his sons Christopher (Kathleen) and Andrew (Jessica), his grandchildren Christopher, Catherine, Casie, and Lucia, and his brothers Frank (Mary) and John.
He is predeceased by his daughter Elizabeth and by his parents Octavio and Lucy Matteotti.
The 19th hole won’t be the same without Jim’s infectious personality and witty humor. Please join his family and friends as we say goodbye.
A visitation for Jim will be held Thursday, September 26, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home, 177 Route 59, Suffern, NY 10901. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024, at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Church, 129 Lafayette Ave, Suffern, NY 10901
In lieu of flowers, contributions in James' memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 US, www.stjude.org.
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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105
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