Obituary of James A. Geraci

James A. Geraci, "Big Jim", 86, passed away peacefully at his home in Stone Harbor on August 4, 2007, with his wife, son & daughter by his side. Born in Vineland to the late George & Nancy (Barbaccia) Geraci, he was a longtime resident of Vineland, Stone Harbor & Hallendale Beach Florida. As a young boy, he helped his parents with the Geraci Meat Market on 8th and Cherry Street. He also helped his brother,Nick, with his used car lot "South Side Garage" .Tthey later obtained the first Tucker Automobile franchise in Vineland in 1947. He was a 1939-40 graduate of Vineland High School where he played football, baseball and basketball and played on the 1939 State Champion Football Team He & the whole team was in inducted into the Vineland High School Football Hall of Fame in 1998. Jim was a graduate of Franklin and Marshal Academy , where he held the punting record with an punting average of 56.5. Jim played in the 1939 "Dream Game" in the Municipal Statdium in Philadelphia, where his team was victorious over the New Jersey All Stars. He played semi-pro football for the Vineland Senators, He later attended Temple University. Jim served during World War II in the United States Army from December 1942 to January 1946 holding the rank of Technical Seargant in the 29th Infantry Division. He took part in the Invasion of Normandy, Battle of St. Lo and the Battle of Brest in Normandy, where he was wounded and received a Purple Heart for his bravery. He also received the New Jersey Medal of Honor. Jim graduated from McAllister's American Academy of Mortuary Science in 1956 and received his license in Mortuary Science for Embalming and Funeral Directing in 1957. He spent many dedicated years as co-owner and operator of Rone Funeral Service in Vineland, alongside his wife Faustina Rone Geraci, James C. Geraci and Jana Rone Scarpa. Jim was a member of the National Funeral Directors Association. New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, West Jersey Funeral Directors Association Jim was a member of the Diamond Social Club, VFW, Landisville Social Club, The Sons of Italy and a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church. Big Jim was an avid New York Yankee fan, a collector and restorer of classic cars, especially 1956-57 Thunderbirds. and vintage Mercedes Benz. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and "his buddies".