James Iacovelli

James or Jim Iacovelli as most people knew him, passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his six daughters and loving wife on May 5, 2020. Jim was born on July 30, 1930 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. His father Vincenzo Iacovelli immigrated from Fondi, Italy in 1921 and his mother, Ruth Teeter was from Newfield, NY.

Jim graduated from Immaculate Conception School in 1945 and Ithaca High School in 1949. In his senior year of high school he was co-captain of the wrestling team. He was the Section 4 Champion in his weight class for two consecutive years and his team also won the Sectional Championships.

While attending Ithaca High, Jim met and began dating the love of his life, the dark haired, shy and always beautiful Antoinette (Toni) Bordoni. Toni grew up on Utica Street, in the Fall Creek section of Ithaca and was also the daughter of Italian immigrants. After high school the couple married and went on to raise six daughters.

As a young, married man Jim demonstrated ambition and a strong work ethic. At just 19 years of age he built his own home on Kendall Avenue for his young family. He worked as a laborer and skilled carpenter for many years on large construction sites in and around New York State. As a young man he was often given supervisory positions as he was recognized as a leader. He was humbled by these experiences and challenges and won the admiration and respect of those that worked with him due to his generous spirit. He had a way of bringing out the best in those who worked with him and was reluctant to ever take personal credit above others. His proudest accomplishment was when the new Ithaca College Campus was being built. Jim won first prize in the Annual Craftsmanship Contest sponsored by the Ithaca-Cortland Builders Exchange. He was recognized for the beautiful spiral stairwell which is located in the Terrace Dining Hall at Ithaca College.

At 46 years of age Jim began his own real estate development company (Iacovelli Properties). Over his long, successful life he and his wife Toni amassed a large real estate rental empire. Jim always gave the credit for his success to his beloved wife. Together they worked hard and were always very generous to family and friends. Several times Jim was voted landlord of the year by students at both Cornell and Ithaca College. Jim's final projects were on Ithaca's West end where he developed two beautiful apartment buildings.

Jim will be most remembered for the family he and Toni created together; their 6 daughters, 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. To Jim his family was his foremost achievement. His happiest moments in life came when he and Toni were home among all of the family sharing a tasty meal and a bottle of Italian wine!

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Vincenzo and Ruth Iacovelli, his in-laws Rinaldo and Giovanna Bordoni, his brothers Joseph and Albert, his sisters-in-law; Bessie Iacovelli, Anastasia Iacovelli, Virginia Iacovelli, Helen Iacovelli and Louise Cornish and his brothers-in-law, Robert Cornish and Donald Seacord.

Jim is survived by his wife Antoinette (Toni), his six daughters Judy (William) Steele, Sally (Ronald) Regoord, Ann (David) Bowlsby, Ruth (William) Topley, Debra (Don) Shaffer and Karen (Scott) Harrell. He is also survived by his brothers; Paul Iacovelli, Lawrence (Trin) Iacovelli, Orlando Iacovelli, Ralph (Roxanne) Iacovelli and his sister Virginia Seacord; his brother-in-law Raymond (Sue) Bordoni and his sisters-in law Nancy Iacovelli, Jenny (Calvin) Bosma and Lena (Lawrence) Siany. He is survived by his grandchildren; Jennifer (Robert) Lee, Meagan (Alain) Steel, Sara (William) Steele, Audrey Steele, Brynn (Jackson) Steele, James Regoord, Kimberly Stanton-Smith, Koryndee Bowlsby, Melissa (Chad) Mobbs, William (Amanda) Topley, Alec James (Skarlyn) Topley, Mathew (Brittany) Watros, Dylan Watros, Hayley Harrell, Nicole Harrell, Natalie Harrell and Mathew Harrell and his 12 great-grandchildren; Austin Lee, Aurora Lee, Arianna Lee, Kai Holgate, Ivan Jorgenson, Cedar Hawk Jacobs, Braxton Smith, Evan Mobbs, Ryan Mobbs, Bracen Watros, Colton Watros and Zara Watros.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, a private family service will be held with burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery. A public service to celebrate Jim’s life will be announced at a future date. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Immaculate Conception Church, Ithaca, New York.