James Anthony Celestino

James Anthony Celestino, 70 , resident of Simi Valley, California, passed away July 18th at the West LA VA hospital after a courageous and valiant struggle with ALS.

He was born in 12-30-42 in Buffalo New York to Angelo and Mary Celestino. He is remembered by all as a great and compassionate man. He and his wife, Jean, were married on 01-19-68.

He attended Herbert Hoover High School and Glendale Community College where he graduated with a degree in Commercial Art. He served his country in Vietnam as a member of the U.S. Army. He was wounded in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart.

Shortly after his return stateside from Vietnam, James and his wife, Jean, were married on 01-19-68.

On 07-01-79, James founded and successfully operated Jim’s Office Supplies & Printing until retirement, where he took pride in his life as a gentleman farmer and artist/ craftsman in the state of Washington, until returning to L.A. to be surrounded by his loving family during his final battle against ALS. He is survived by his wife, Jean; his five children, Mark, Barbara, James, Deanna, and Michael; nine grandchildren, Jeanna, Jessica, Scarlet, Ivy, Jennifer, Mischa, David, Lauren, and Jaren; and seven great-grandchildren, Lillie, Evangeline, James, Zachary, Anthony, Nikolai and Madeleine. James is also survived by his sisters, Josephine Gallagher and Rose Marie Raymond, and his brother, Charles.

He was preceased in death by his parents and his brother, William.

James will be laid to rest, with full military honors, at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, West Virginia.