James A. LoNano

Jim was born in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn to Christine (Maniscalco) and Joseph LoNano. He attended New Utrecht High School where he was an all-star Football & Baseball player. He went on to attend Upsala college on an athletic scholarship playing Varsity Baseball and Football, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business. While at Upsala College he met the love of his life Merle Kaplowitz. They married in 1965 and settled in Staten Island.

James started his career as a Buyer for Abraham & Strauss and would go on to be a Sporting Goods Buyer for the Navy Exchange Retail Stores. Eventually, moving into Sales for the Military Sales Division at the Panasonic Corporation retiring in 2005.

James and Merle were adventurous travelers, visiting over 30 countries and 28 US National Parks. In addition, they traveled to and attended games at every major league baseball stadium in North America.

Jim was an avid handball player for over 50 years with a great group of guys. He also continued to play baseball with the Old Boys of Summer who still meet for Breakfast every Tuesday at Z’s. Another highlight of Jim’s athletic career was his 2019 induction into the Stickball Hall of Fame followed by a stickball game at the Brooklyn Cyclones’ stadium in Coney Island.

Jim was a diehard Brooklyn Dodger fan attending his first game at the age of 8 with his sister Lorraine. The only other team to rival his love was the New York Mets who brought him joy and a little heartache.

Jim is survived by his wife of 57 years Merle, his daughter Melissa and her husband Kenneth Franz, Son Scott and his wife Jeneen (LaSalle), Daughter Jennifer and her husband Bill Daly, grandchildren Kathy, Danielle, & Stephanie LoNano, Cristina & Olivia Franz, Liam & Quinn Daly, his sister Lorraine Pellitteri, nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.

Donations can be made in Honor of James LoNano to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center https://giving.mskcc.org/

A visitation for James will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2022, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home, 30 Nelson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10308. A funeral service will occur Thursday, December 29, 2022, at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick's Church, 53 St Patricks Pl, Staten Island, NY 10306. A committal service will occur Thursday, December 29, 2022, at 11:30 AM at Moravian Cemetery, 2205 Richmond Road, Staten Island, NY 10306.