February 13, 1948 - January 17, 2024
James Vincent Lezzano, Jr., "Jimmer" , age 75, entered into God's loving care after a long and courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at home, with his loving family by his side.
He was a man of deep devotion to his family, friends, and country. He had a spirit of gratitude and forgiveness, with an amazing hard work ethic, retiring at the age of 70. He left his mark on everyone he met with his gifts of love, hope, humor, and selfless and generous giving. He made everyone feel like family. He was honored with the title of "Uncle Jimmer" by more than those who were his nieces and nephews.
He loved to spend most of his retirement time with family at Ashlynn Distillery and Cacace Acres Horse Farm and Event Venue. He didn't just watch; he put his heart & hands into helping with various tasks when he was at either site. He was a proud graduate of Hamilton High School West and Grice Middle School. He was awarded letters from each school for football, playing defense, center, and guard. He enjoyed sports, cards, gambling, fishing, hunting, boating, car races, "the monkey swing" at Gropp's Lake, eating, and many social activities with loving family and friends. He loved to speed with all of his cars; he was like lightening on the road. He worked at NJ DOT, drill rigging, extra duty snow plowing, roads and bridges, heavy construction, welding, auto body work, Corvette restoration, gardening, sewing, cooking, and had many collections of various sorts.
He was predeceased by his loving parents, James Vincent "Chick" and Mary Rosati Lezzano, Sr.; his loving sister and husband, Jacqueline and Ed Cacace. He is survived by his loving sisters and brothers-in-law, Maureen and Hank Zadel, Sherri and Larry LaBella; his many loving nieces and nephews and their families (his many kids in this life), Ed and Marianne Cacace, Jimmy and Melissa Cacace, Jennifer and John O'Brien, Kimberly and John Behrle, Monica and John Davis, Dana and Gary Deidloff, Anthony and Adrienne LaBella, Vincent and Erica James, and Chris and Linda Cacace. He is also survived by the loves of his life, his loving great nieces and nephews, Nick Cacace and Monique Camire, Anthony Cacace, Tyler and Kyle O'Brien, Matt and Charlie Behrle, Olivia and Jessica Davis, Anthony and Gianna LaBella, Joey LaBella, Anna and Luke Deidloff, Emily and Patrick James, and Damian, Gianna, and Alex Camire; as well as many special cousins, family, and friends.
James was granted his special desire to treat all of his relatives and friends to a grand reunion on Saturday, January 27, 2024. He will be missed by all of his special friends adopted by him as family; JR and Sandi Dolina, Tommy and Angel Dolina, Lisa, Richie Selmon, Turnpike, Stan, Nick, Ed, Jim, Bob, Eric, his poker buddies, Tom and Cheryl Vasti, Rob, Trenna, and Jude Stout, Lee, Linda, Andrew, Anne, Bob, and Barbara C. LaBella, The Jay DeCristofaro Family, Helen C., Ann H., Kathy K., and many special neighbors. He was very strong but had a soft heart, a heart of gold, and fought the good fight.
Special thank you to The Mannino Family of Villa Mannino Italian Restaurante, for making sure "Uncle" Jimmer had his favorite meal and his family had food during this difficult time. Villa Mannino was his second home.
His family extends deepest gratitude for all of his loving care from Holy Redeemer Home Hospice, from all their nurses, especially nurses, Chris, Freddie, Jen, Jennifer, Lynna, Marilyn, and Zack, and Brad, Dan, Sarah, and Mary who cared for him special attention. Our deepest gratitude to The Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary, The Legion of Mary, Help of Christians, and Rev. Marian Kokorzycki for the Visitation of the Missionary Statue from Poland of Our Lady of Fatima during Jimmer's suffering and death. Our sincerest thanks to Rev. Stanley Krzyston and Rev. Rogatus Mpeka for Jimmer's spiritual needs. Mostly, Jimmer was loved by so many people they could not all be mentioned. He loved everyone. Special thanks to everyone who helped him throughout his life and illness. God bless all of you, he will remember all of you with love. Don't forget that you have him as your special angel to pray for and watch over you.
A visitation will be held Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Buklad-Merlino Memorial Home, 2141 South Broad Street.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. at St. Vincent DePaul Church, 555 Yardville-Allentown Rd., Yardville, NJ 08620.
Burial will follow in Crosswicks Cemetery.
At his family's request, Memorial Mass cards, contributions to CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Shriner's Hospital for Children, National Kidney Foundation, American Diabetes Association, DAV, or VFW, in his name, would be greatly appreciated. He especially loved all the sick and disabled children in this world and said, "He would rather be sick than them.", even while he was gravely ill.
He left a legacy of love here on earth. We all love him. Thank you for your loving life, Jimmer!
Services are under the direction of Joseph A. D’Errico.
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Just hearing about Jimmer passing now. I’m so sorry. Copperfield Dr is always our own special corner of the world. Jimmer was always part of that and our many crazy trips past his house down to “Govs”
I visit home and go down the road I say hi to all the houses we all lived in
Rest in Peace Jimmer
Lori Hartmann
Dear Maureen, Sherry and families,
So sad to hear of the loss of Jimmer. He was love and light and always generated
a smile from all. His passing leaves a void no one can fill.
Sending you hugs, love and our Heartfelt Sympathy.
Love, Della, Michael, Michele and Mark Rosati