James M. Cirona

James M. Cirona, our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandpa, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2014 in San Diego, California. Following his lung cancer diagnosis in June 2013, he lived his final months surrounded by his treasured friends in San Diego and enjoyed many visits from family and friends who travelled to see him. His incredible good spirits throughout his illness, his quiet acceptance of knowing his life was drawing to a close, and his determination to spend his remaining time enjoying life inspired everyone who knew him.

Jim was born in Brooklyn, NY on November 29, 1931. His father immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island and Jim always enjoyed reflecting on how much he had accomplished in his lifetime as the son of an immigrant. Always interested in agriculture, he attended Cornell University, graduating in 1953 with a B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics. He served two years in the US Army as a first lieutenant before joining Metropolitan Life and later Ithaca Savings and Loan Association in 1961. After serving in several offices there, he was elected President in 1970 and was very active in many local organizations in Ithaca including the Tompkins County Board of Health, The Reconstruction Home, TC3, the Immaculate Conception School Board of Education, the Ithaca City School District Board of Education, the Elks Club and the United Way. He completed graduate banking course programs at the University of Indiana and the Elmira Chapter of the American Savings and Loan Institute.

Following his facilitation of the merger of Ithaca Savings and Loan with First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Rochester in 1975, he relocated his family to Rochester and in 1977 was named President and CEO of First Federal. A successful career in Rochester resulted in him being selected by the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco in June 1983 to be its President and CEO. His tenure there was marked by the savings and loan crisis of the mid-to late- 1980s which he navigated with astute wisdom, righteousness and determination to halt the improprieties of some of the financial institutions the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco regulated.

In January of 1992, he moved on to become President and CEO of Homestead Savings in Millbrae, CA and steered the financially troubled institution out of a dismal financial state and restored it to financial health.
In March of 1993, Jim joined the Western Farm Credit Bank as President and CEO. During his tenure the bank made dramatic improvements in its operating results. From 1994 to 1996 he also served as Director of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation ("Farmer Mac").

Jim moved back to Ithaca in 1999 where he "retired" to spend time with his grandchildren living there and to travel extensively around the world. He often traveled with his beloved friends Frank Haas and Jim Faulstich. Their mutual love of adventure, experiencing new cultures, and sharing fine wines and scotch created a cache of memories that Jim treasured throughout the remainder of his life. He and his brother Joe traveled to Italy and had a blast visiting their father's hometown, meeting relatives and exploring the villages they had long dreamed of visiting. Jim kept journals of these many trips and enjoyed reading them and reliving the treasured moments he enjoyed on the trip with Joe, his friends Frank and Jim, and his grandchildren.

Jim left Ithaca in 2006 for one last hurrah in the finance world by accepting an interim CEO position with Pentegra which was based in White Plains. After spending a few years there he retired for one final time and moved to San Diego. His decision to live there was based solely on the terrific weather, but he soon realized he was also surrounded by a marvelous group of friends who he grew to cherish and respect. A warmer group of friends, especially during his final months, could not be found anywhere.

To say that Jim had a passion for the banking industry is an understatement. In addition to the positions he held at banks throughout his incredible career, he served on numerous bank and trade association boards. He served as Director, Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York; committee member and Director of the Financial Institutions Retirement Fund, committee member and Director of the United States League of Savings Institutions, committee member and Director of the Savings Association League of New York State, Chairman and President of the Savings Association League Voluntary Assistance Corporation and committee member and Director of the Thrift Associations Service Corporation. In 1974, he received the New York Savings and Loan "Man of the Year" Award.

Jim treasured his family and friends. From New York City to San Diego, he loved visiting them and staying in touch by phone once his traveling days came to a close a few years ago. He will be very much missed by all of us.

Jim is survived by his children: Caren Baldini, Cathy (Scott) Grayell, Susan Hilfiger, Michael Cirona and Linda Cirona; his grandchildren William (Rachel) Baldini, Jennifer Baldini, Caroline Baldini, Daniel Baldini, Christopher Pohlod, Alysia (Ashish Singh) Cirona-Singh, Meghan Pohlod, Alexandria Hilfiger, Richard Hilfiger, Elizabeth Hilfiger, Kathleen Hilfiger and Catie Sutherland. His great-grandson, Thomas William Baldini, also survives him. Jim's sister, Anita Bricker, survives him as well as his brothers Frank Cirona, Joseph (Chick) Cirona, and John (Dolly) Cirona. He was predeceased by his sister Mary D'Anca, his parents, his sister-in-law Mildred Cirona and his dear friend Jim Faulstich. Numerous and very special nieces, nephews and cousins also survive him. He will be dearly missed by his friends in the banking industry, his many special friends in Ithaca and by his San Diego family of friends who supported him with love and kindness beyond description during his final illness.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Saturday, April 05, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Country Club of Ithaca. In lieu of flowers, Jim requested that donations in his memory be made to Father Joe's Villages, 3350 E Street, San Diego, CA 92102. Donations to Father Joe's can also be made on-line at www.neighbor.org. Bangs Funeral Home is assisting the family.