James Laviola

James Joseph Laviola, known affectionately as Jim to his friends and family, was born on June 3, 1955, in Bellevue, Ohio and spent his entire life residing in the town he loved. James was a generous soul, always ready to lend a hand or offer assistance to anyone in need. His humble nature and smart, quick wit endeared him to everyone he met and left a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to know him.

James had worked for GTE in the Building Maintenance department, retiring in 2014 more than 40 years. James never lost his passion for building and fixing things. His love for model trains was a testament to his detail-oriented nature and his woodworking skills were second to none. He built most of his home, especially the cabinetry and woodwork. In his spare time, he enjoyed watching NASCAR and Formula One Racing, classic movies, and stand-up comedians. James enjoyed his monthly breakfasts with former co-workers.

He was dedicated father to his daughter, Gabrielle Laviola, his step-children Cory Silcott and Felicia Beckman, and his beloved granddaughters Ella Silcott and Amelia McGrady. He is also survived by his siblings Joanne Engler (Gary) and Thomas Laviola (Deborah). James was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mable (Barnard) Laviola and an infant sister.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in honor of James may be made to American Parkinson Disease Association, PO Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10306.

We encourage those who knew and loved James to share their memories and upload photos to his memorial page. Your contributions will serve as a reminder of the generous, humble, smart, and talented man that was James Laviola.