James “Jimmy” Vetrano passed away last week at the age of 96. He lived a full and long life, and a great deal of his retirement years were spent volunteering for the Police Athletic League in Yonkers. One of Vetrano’s big responsibilities for many years was to help coordinate the PAL’s Poster Contest, in which local kids compete to be on the PAL poster with two Yonkers police officers.
PAL Board member Mike Bennett, who partnered with Vetrano on the PAL Poster contest for more than 20 years said, “He was an outstanding man who contirubted to the PAL and the city of Yonkers. He was chairman of the PAL luncheon for 18 years raising funds for the PAL, and for 20 years on the poster contest. Through his union, he was also able to donate the first set of bullet proof vests to the Yonkers Police Department. He will be missed.”
PAL Chairman Angelo Martinelli said, “Jimmy Vetrans was my right hand man at the PAL. He did more work than anyone over the years, all as a volunteer. He was at every event and served as PAL vice-president for many years. We will plan some type of tribute for him and for all the tremendous work, which resulted in tremendous growth for the PAL.”
Vetrano’s obituary reads:
James Vetrano 96, of Yonkers, died Aug. 13, 2018. He was born Aug. 19, 1921 to the late Michael and Marguerite (nee Mauriello) Vetrano in Newark, N.J.
James served proudly in the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII. He was a former president of Local 305 Retail and Wholesale Department Store Union in Hastings, and other affiliations included board member of Yonkers PAL and a fourth-degree Knights of Columbus with Council 3995 in Yonkers.
James was predeceased by his devoted wife, Nancy (nee Cianciotti) Vetrano in 2009; and also predeceased by five brothers and six sisters. He is survived by his loving sons, James M. (Toni) Vetrano of Briarcliff Manor, and Raymond M. (Barbara) Vetrano of Ossining; and also survived by his six cherished grandchildren, Jacqueline (Myron), Angela, James (Kristen), Dana (Michael), Raymond Jr. and Nicholas; four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Margaret LaFemina of Rockland County.
Reposing, Hawthorne Funeral Home on Wednesday and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Mass, St. Augustine’s Church, Ossining, on Friday at 10 a.m. Entombment, Ferncliff Mausoleum, Hartsdale. In lieu of flowers, donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, 1275 York Ave. N.Y., N.Y. 10021, would be appreciated.
