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James Altomare

SAN DIEGO – James (Jim) V Altomare, 89, of San Diego died in his home at 6:59am on January 26, 2013. Born June 30, 1923, in Leetonia, Ohio to parents Vincenzo (Jim) and Mary (Cerrone) Altomare. Jim graduated from Leetonia High School in 1941. He is a veteran of World War II entering the US Army Air Forces in February 1943. Jim spent 23 months in the European Theater of Operations, assigned to Belgium’s Displaced Persons Rehabilitation Command. He processed the repatriation of approximately 400,000 persons. He was honorably discharged as a Technician Fourth Grade in December 1945 with Good Conduct, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign w/4 Stars and World War II Victory Medals. www.soledadmemorial.com/plaque/1238031138.jpg

Jim married Mary DiPanfilo on June 1, 1946. He was a completely dedicated, loving, family man. He always had a quick wit and was ready with jokes to keep the family laughing. He enjoyed singing in the car on family rides and going for long walks. He and Mary traveled over the years to Hawaii, England, Italy, France, and Hungary. They also made a trip to Namur, Belgium to revisit where he was stationed during WW II.

Jim lived and worked in Ohio, was owner of the J&E Record Shop in Columbiana until 1968 when the family moved to St Petersburg, Florida. Moving to St Petersburg had been his dream place to live ever since he had been there for boot camp in 1943. He loved the tropical weather and being near the Gulf. He worked at the St. Petersburg Times newspaper (now Tampa Bay Times) for 16 years, retiring as the Circulation/Transportation Foreman in 1985. He volunteered at Largo Community Hospital for several years after his retirement. During his retirement Jim and Mary spent the summers in San Diego, California, where some of their children had settled, and then wintered in Florida. In 2008, San Diego became their home year round where he was a member of Ascension Catholic Church, the Golden Circle, and the Tierrasanta Senior Lunch Club.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Mary Altomare; five children, Jim Altomare (Sandi) of Inverness, FL, David Altomare of San Diego, CA, Carol Hayes (Roger) of Santee, CA, Cindy Peterson (Al) of Jamul, CA, Debi Kelly (Mike) of San Diego, CA; 12 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vincenzo (Jim) Altomare, Mary Cerrone; brothers Alfred, Edward, Edwin; sisters, Elizabeth and Helen; and one great-grandchild, Stephen Pacheco.

A funeral mass will be held at Ascension Catholic Parish Saturday, February 2, 2013, at 10:30am. 11292 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. San Diego, CA 92124. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Alzheimer’s Association of San Diego or Ascension Catholic Parish. Interment will be at Ft. Rosecrans at a later date.

1/31/13