James R. Giannetta, of Wappingers Falls, passed away on June 11, 2021, at the age of 91 after a brief illness. It is a difficult task to sum up 91 years in a few paragraphs. James was born in the Bronx on May 12, 1930, to Lorenzo and Ann (nee Menzacappe) Giannetta, the middle son of five boys. On May 15, 1964, he married the love of his life, Marguerite (nee Pizzo) and they blended a loving family. James worked three jobs to give his family the best life he could. The family left a small apartment in the Bronx and moved to Wappingers Falls in 1973. James retired as a foreman with the NYC Sanitation Department and began working as a mail carrier in Wappingers Falls until he "retired" – within a week he had a part time job where he worked until he was 80. For decades, James served the Church as an usher at St. Columba in Hopewell Junction. In addition to his family, he loved playing the saxophone and was in several bands over the years, played first base for a men's softball league, was an avid Sinatra fan, loved watching college football and the Yankees and, most importantly, loved coaching and watching his grandsons play Little League. He was not much of a traveler but he loved his trips to Cancun, Disney, Toronto and the Jersey Shore with Jaime and her family. He is survived at home by his loving and devoted wife of 57 years, Marguerite. Also surviving are his son James Giannetta (Ronee); son Christopher Giannetta, (Anne Marie), grandchildren Jennifer (Michael), Christopher and Michelle; son Thomas Giannetta, (Janet), grandsons, T.J., Nicholas and Zachary; and his daughter, Jaime Giannetta-Zaimes (William), grandsons Billy and Justin; and three greatgrandchildren, Jaxon, Mason and Stella, all of whom he adored; his brothers Edward, (Agatha) and Richard (Marcia); brother-in-law, Thomas (Mary Ann), many nieces and nephews; and longtime dearest friends, Danny and JoAnn DeVito. In addition to his parents, James was predeceased by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Sal and Rosemary, Larry and Tallie, his nephew, Steven, his niece, Annie and his great-niece, Haley. Visitation will be held at McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction on Tuesday, June 15, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 16, at St. Columba Church, 835 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. He will be laid to rest at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, kindly feel free to make memorial donations to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or the charity of your choice.
Please visit the Book of Memories for James at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.