James J. Centifanti

February 11, 1952 - October 3, 2018

James J. Centifanti entered into eternal life on October 3, 2018 following a bravely fought battle against cancer. Jim was born on February 11, 1952, in Cleveland, Ohio to Benedict and Margaret (nee Wagner) Centifanti. Jim retired from Ford Motor Company as a receiving checker after 38 years of service, and was also employed by Paciotti Body after retirement. Jim was a faithful parishioner of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Sheffield Lake, which he attended every Sunday. Jim was a graduate of Brookside High School. He enjoyed restoring and painting classic cars, attending classic car shows and showing off his cars, watching the Cleveland Browns, Indians, and Cavs play on TV, road trips to the casinos, but more than anything, Jim enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He would make the trip every year to attend the Turf Bowl at Marshall University Stadium (The Joan) in Huntington, West Virginia, to watch his grandsons play football. He especially enjoyed his Friday nights at the 368 Tavern with his family and friends, with Bruce Springsteen, Linkin Park, and Eminem blaring from the speakers. Jim leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Janice (nee Johnson) Centifanti; his daughter, Jaime (John) Stroud, of Huntington, West Virginia; his son, James (Tabitha), of Lorain; his daughter, Jennifer (Mike Minardo) of Lorain; his adopted daughter, Desiree Johnson, of Sheffield Lake; his stepchildren, Josue (Jessica) Caraballo, of Lehigh Acres, Florida, John Vasquez (Sierra Maldonado), of Lorain, and Andrea Vasquez, of Lorain. He is also survived by his sister, Elaine Roach, of Tampa, Florida; his sister, Mary Anne O’Donnell, of Cleveland; his brother, Ben (Heather) of Sheffield Lake; his brother-in-law, Dan Amend; 15 grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Benedict and Margaret Centifanti; his sister, Peggy Amend; and his brother, Joseph, who passed away shortly after birth. For you to spend time children, take a walk on the beach with your loved ones, and make a toast to enduring friendships lifelong and beyond this is what Jim would wish for all of us to do. The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 7, 2018 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 8, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 715 Harris Road, Sheffield Lake, OH 44054. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. Rev. Father Stephen L. Shields, Pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Brook Park, Ohio. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.dovinreberjones.com