James Louis Patalano

Jimmy served in the Korean War and was a proud veteran.

His professional life was comprised of working for the Post Office where he received multiple commendations, the gas company and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) where he was a beloved member of the team. Regardless of what had to be accomplished, it was known that if you put Jimmy on the job, it would get done and would be a quick fait accomplished.

Jimmy was loved by everyone who knew him as he was the quintessential true gentleman and helper of anyone who needed anything. There are few people who could compare, as he was the most nonjudgmental person, never had an unkind or negative thing to say about anyone – and treated all fairly and equally. He was and will always remain to be the “Rock” of his past and present family members.

Jimmy’s favorite pastime was regaling his audiences with his stories – and it didn’t matter if you’d already heard them multiple times verbatim – they were always entertaining.

The most beautiful thing about Jimmy was his generosity – whether it was driving someone to the airport or spending an afternoon grilling for the masses at the many Sea Haven parties he helped to coordinate – many with his sidekick, the late Guy Lamotta. He was also known as the ‘official’ Sea Haven coffee maker as no one made coffee better than Jimmy.

If you were lucky enough to be in his circle, even at his advanced age, he was protective of his loved ones to a fault. Since he was the unofficial “mayor’ of Sea Haven, whomever had any needs or concerns, who did they go to…. Jimmy, of course, because he got things done! Oh, and if that something needed to be done say by 2PM, you’d better be ready by 11 AM as he operated on Patalano time.

Jimmy is survived by his niece Annamarie Ottolenghi of Pennsylvania, her husband Carlo, their children Olivia and Christopher, his beloved sisters Lucy and Rose and the many friends who loved this very special man. Jimmy has physically left us, but he will forever be indelibly in our hearts.