James Iantorno

On Tuesday, September 22, 2015, with family members by him, James Fedile Iantorno passed away at the age of 92.

James, older brother of Anthony, was born in 1923 to parents Frank and Susan Iantorno in the town of New Rochelle, New York. There he attended Columbus Elementary and Junior High Schools, and Albert Leonard Vocational High School. Following graduation in 1941, and prior to enlisting in the Service, James worked as a production and design development machinist producing prototypes and production devices for weapons, electrical connectors, and instruments.

In 1943, James was hired by Pan American Airways as an aircraft and engine mechanic, at which time he also enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve serving as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate until 1946 when he became a Sergeant 1 Aerial Engineer with the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, Air Transport Command, serving 13 months at Hickam Air Force Base, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In 1948, following his discharge from the service, James attended the Academy of Aeronautics, La Guardia Airport, New York, graduating in 1950 as a certified aircraft and engine mechanic, after which he continued to work as a production and design development machinist.

In 1952, James was hired by Sealectro Corporation, where he worked for over 35 years in various capacities, including Machine Shop Supervisor and Machinist, Plant Manager, Sales Engineer, and Engineering Manager. In 1974, he was promoted to Senior Project Engineer and Senior Engineering Specialist, and in that capacity was responsible for the design, development, and patenting of new products, impressively becoming the holder of over 24 U.S. and foreign patents. His family have always been proud of his accomplishments, which include the Bullet Nose ™ line of terminals, the Jump Jax ™ shunt, and the Rivet Loc ™ line of Teflon insulated terminals.

In 1951, at a cousin’s engagement party, James was reintroduced to Cecelia Tirella who, remarkably, was born in the house next door to his but whose family subsequently moved away. Cecelia and James were married in 1955, and after residing briefly in Harrison, NY, they moved to Mamaroneck, NY, where they raised their four children.

After many years in Mamaroneck, James and Cecelia retired to Phoenix, Arizona, relocating just recently to Frederick, MD, in order to be closer to family. This Memorial Day weekend, James and Cecelia celebrated their 60th anniversary with family and friends. Sadly, Cecelia passed away shortly thereafter.

James will be remembered by all for his gentle and patient nature, impressive innovative abilities, understated sense of humor, and unwavering integrity. His children and grandchildren will treasure the memories of the innovative toys, kites, and other objects he constructed for them, including sailboats from tin cans (the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María) that they sailed on Columbus Day, dolls with moveable limbs, and vehicles with fully working parts. James’ life long love of flight and aeronautics led him to build remote controlled airplanes, designing and producing his own custom tools in order to do so. His surviving family members treasure this exquisite collection.

James is survived by his sons, James Iantorno (Debbie) and Frank Iantorno (Marleni); his daughters, Susan Gal (Yechiam) and Stephanie Graham (Mark); three grandchildren, Itamar Gal, Adalei Gal Broers, and Nicole Iantorno; and his brother, Anthony Iantorno. He is predeceased by his wife, Cecelia, and his parents, Frank and Susan Iantorno.

The family attended a private service at Stauffer Funeral Home in Frederick, MD; they plan a memorial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully request donations be made to Hospice of Frederick County or The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com