Obituary for James Salerno James “Jim” Salerno, 85, of Shinnston, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 24, 2019, at his home under the care of his loving family and WVU Medicine Hospice following a brief illness. He was born in Pine Bluff on September 3, 1933, a son of the late Anthony “Tony” and Maria Rosa Iaquinta Salerno. On February 13, 1952, he married Patricia JoAnn Scarcella, who preceded him in death on July 11, 1991.
He is survived by his children, Patty Jean Crites and her husband David, Bridgeport; James A. “Jimmy” Salerno, Pamela Gemondo and her husband Jimmy; Maria Spino and her husband Johnny, and A.J. Salerno and his wife Josie, all of Shinnston; 7 grandchildren, Brianna Crites Harris and her husband David, Andrew, Anthony, and Alec Gemondo, Olivia Spino; and Sylvie and Emmy Salerno. A brother, Bill Salerno and his wife Martha, Pine Bluff; and a sister, Pauline Costa of Fairmont; and many nieces and nephews complete his family. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his infant son, Anthony John Salerno, a grandson, Ayden Jacob Gemondo; five brothers, Sam, Patsy, Tony “Junior”, Joseph, and Albert; and five sisters, Rose Carr; Mary Therrian; Antionette Ruggerio, Teresa Butcher, and Jennie Snider; and six other siblings in infancy.
Jim served in the US Army during the Korean War. After his service, he worked with his brothers at Salerno Brothers, Inc., and in 1981, he and his wife Patty formed Ace Construction, where he continued working installing water and sewer line projects. In 1987, he and his family opened A.J.’s Family Diner, now Jimmy’s Diner, in Shinnston, where he enjoyed talking with his patrons and giving out homemade frittis and wine.
Always a worker, he enjoyed gardening, cooking, making sausage, canning, and Sunday and holiday dinners with his family. He was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church. Jim appreciated the wonderful care he received from the VA Medical Center through the years and would let everyone know how well he was treated, and the family would like to especially thank Dr. Haq’s Brown Team and the DAV drivers that would take him to his appointments.
He always enjoyed the DAV drivers taking him to his VA appointments, so in lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to them through Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center, GPF 135, 1 Medical Center Drive, Clarksburg, WV 26301. Friends will be received at Harmer Funeral Home, 300 Pike Street, Shinnston, on Thursday from 2 – 8 p.m., where a Rosary will be held at 8 p.m. to conclude the visitation. Catholic Funeral Rites will be held at Harmer Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 1, 2019, with Father Jude Perara, TOR, presiding.
Interment will follow in Shinnston Memorial Cemetery, where Military Funeral Honors will be accorded by Harrison County Honor Guard and WV Army National Guard Honor Guard, Camp Dawson. To send flowers to the family of James Salerno, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
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