James "Jimmy" Casella

Mr. James "Jimmy" Casella, a long-time resident of Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away on Friday night at Martha Jefferson Hospital. He was 90 years old. Jimmy was born on May 19, 1922, in Staten Island, New York, the son of Donato and Rose Casella and one of nine siblings. Jimmy grew to be an outstanding athlete in football and baseball at McKee High School. Following graduation in 1940 Jimmy enlisted in the United States Army and fought in World War II. He was heavily involved in the Normandy conflict and eventually earned the Purple Heart.

Following his years in the Army, Jimmy married Marie Theresa Scarpelli in September of 1947. The couple had two children. He was a long time employee of the city of New York, New York, as well as the Federal Reserve. He took early retirement to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he worked part time for Brevard College. Jimmy and his wife, Marie, moved to Charlottesville in 1979 to open two family restaurants, S'Barro's and Casella's Italian Restaurant. Jimmy worked in the restaurant business until 1987. Once Jimmy left the restaurant business he became an avid golfer and worked part time at Birdwood Golf Course.

Jimmy Casella is survived by his son, Jimmy and his wife, Judy; daughter, Donna; brother, Dennis; former daughter-in-law, Gloria; and a granddaughter, Gina. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Charlottesville SPCA, P.O. Box 7047, Charlottesville, VA 22906. The family would also like to thank Janet, Casey, Courtney, and Dani, the nurses from Unit Cornell 1 from Martha Jefferson Hospital. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at Teague Funeral Home on Ivy Road. Friends may sign the guest register at teaguefuneralhome.com.



This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.