James Melito

October 20, 1924 - June 22, 2021

James Frank Melito, formerly of Old Bridge, NJ and New Port Richey, Florida died peacefully at the home of his son, Joseph Melito in Morganville, NJ after a period of declining health on June 22, 2021. Known as Jake, Jim or Jimmy to friends and family, he was known for his love of cars and uncanny ability to crawl under a hood to get things working. His mechanical talent was only surpassed by his son Joe. Born to Carmella Guanimo and Vincenzo Melito in Newark on October 20,1924, he was one of seven brothers. He left school and joined the US Navy and served on the USS Canberra in the Pacific during WWII, a time he called, the happiest of his life before returning home and marrying Rose Marie Zannelli, with whom he had five children. He was a member of the United Auto Workers Union and a life long Cadillac enthusiast. He was predeceased by his wife Rose in 1980. Upon his retirement from General Motors in 1984, he relocated to New Port Richey, Florida where he married and lived happily with Joyce Farrell until her death in 2013. The last seven years of his life were spent in the company of Anita Drennon, who died two months before his passing. James was also predeceased by his daughter Rose Marie Melito, who passed away in September 2020. James leaves behind his daughters Debbie (Bruce) Myer of Walton, NY and Karen (Mark) Hatcher of Peterborough, NH, and sons James Melito of Keyport, NJ and Joseph Melito of Morganville, NJ. He will also be remembered by grandchildren Renee Van Alstyne, Matthew Myer, Jeffrey Newbury, Jessica Newbury, Daniel LeMunyan, Lauren LeMunyan, Alissa Corallo and David Melito, and six great grandchildren. Internment will take place in New Port Richey, Florida at a date to be determined. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.HegartyScaliaFuneralHome.com