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Auburn, New York

James Cioffa Obituary

AUBURN < James Francis Cioffa, 79, died Monday, May 5, 2008, with his family at his side. Jim lived in Auburn with his wife of almost 50 years, Ellen (Hickey). He has three children, James and his wife Robin, of Auburn, Thomas and Jacqueline, of New York City. He also has five granddaughters, Alexandra, Stephanie, Carolynn, Kassandra and Madison; and a great-granddaughter, Nadine. He is also survived by his sisters, Delores Fleszar, Jeanette Gillooly, Rose Scheftic, Louise Volpe; and his brother, Richard Cioffa. He was predeceased by his sisters, Angie Brimley and Rita Spano. Jim attended West High School and Auburn Community College. He served in the Marine Corps and worked many construction jobs before joining the Auburn Police Department and retiring as a detective after 30 years of service. During his career as a policeman, Jim"s first instinct was to help the people he encountered rather than punish them. He treated everyone with kindness and respect. He was a tireless fundraiser for many charities and holds the all-time record for ticket sales for the annual policeman"s ball. Jim enjoyed athletics and won the Auburn doubles bowling championship twice. He was a stalwart on the police softball team in its annual contest with the firemen. In 1978, he was named the Christopher Columbus Man of the Year in Auburn. The family would like to thank Luanne DeAngelis, Karen Laird, Nancy Cheney and Mike LeFevre for their constant compassion and support throughout Jim"s long illness. A funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 9, in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Calling hours will be 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at the Brew Funeral Home, 48 South St. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jim"s memory to the Cayuga Policemen"s Benevolent Association at 46 North St., or the Auburn YMCA at 27 William St. Interment will be in St. Joseph"s Cemetery. To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.

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Published by The Citizen on May 7, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for James Cioffa

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Poupak Sionit

May 21, 2008

To the family my deepest thougths are with you. I wish you all the strength and love to get through this difficult time.

Thinking of you. Poupak

John Donofrio

May 13, 2008

To All the Family, I'm truly sorry to read of Jim's passing. I have many fond memories of my cousin Jim while growing up in the west end of Auburn. I haven't seen much of him or the family since I moved from Auburn in the late 1970's. After reading all the positive things Jim did and the good influence he had on many people, it makes me proud that he was my cousin. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you. God Bless You.

Julie Davidow-Toll

May 13, 2008

Dear Ellen, Jackie, and Tommy -
Our thoughts are with you, wishing you all peace at this difficult time. You have all been a testament to the strength and power of a family's bond to persevere and heal. With our deepest sympathies and love - Julie and Jeff

Anthony Da'Alberto

May 9, 2008

Ellen, I'm so sorry. I realy liked JIm he was agreat man. I worked with him on the Policemens Ball, we had good times and lots of fun doing it. He sold the most tickets. Yes, I liked Jim very much Ellen, I have some nice picturs of Jim send me your E-Mail and I'll send them. God Bless You

peter petrosino

May 9, 2008

My deepest sympathies to the Cioffa family. I am very sorry that I missed the calling hours and funeral. I am just catching up on my reading the papers and am very regretful that I wasn't more diligent. I will always remember Jim as an inspiration to me as a young man because of his atheletic activities at the YMCA. As a young man in high school he was one of the police officers we all knew and respected. He was a great role model for me as a grew up and never missed an opportunity to "set me straight" whenever I started forgetting my responsibilities. Auburn has lost a great man.

Sincerely,

Professor Peter L. Petrosino, CCC

Kristin Minter

May 9, 2008

Ellen, Jackie, Tommy and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I don't know what to say. Nothing can alleviate your mourning nor would you want it to. If you need anything I am here. I love you all,
You are in my thoughts and prayers

May 9, 2008

The Auburn YMCA staff would like to express our most sincere condolences to the Cioffa family. There are many fond memories of Jim in these halls. He will be missed by many. God bless.

Anthony D'A lberto

May 9, 2008

I knew Jim very well ,he was a great man. We worked together at all the PBA Dance,he was first to help in any way he can. He will be missed by all, God Bless You

Tom Hawley

May 9, 2008

To the Cioffa Family,
Jim was the best in every way! I remember that once,while visiting family in Auburn,I ran into Jim and Tony (Longo)on State St...even after telling him that I was living in Florida...I still walked away with 2 Policemans Ball Tickets...smiling!
He will be dearly missed by all.

Bill Wade

May 9, 2008

To the family of Jim Cioffa, Jim was one of the nicest guys to put on the uniform. I remember him from his being a policeman and from the time he spent at the YMCA staying in shape. A lot of "corrective" police work was done by Jimmy and he gave the Auburn department and the city a good name. No more whistles for Jim...it's the beauty and wonderment of Heaven for him now. He will make friends with some old soules while he waits for more to join him. He epitomized pride. God's got a new guard for Heavens gate.

Joe Colella

May 8, 2008

Ellen and the entire Cioffa family- I am very sorry for your loss. Jim was one of the best. I am sure he is in great company. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

janie amoia

May 8, 2008

Ellen, Jackie, Tommy, Jimmy -
All my love and friendship to you now and always. Pop was one of a kind, and I will always hold close the best of memories. I hope he is having a marg wih my mom!!

paul viggiano

May 8, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Darci McQueeney

May 8, 2008

Choff was like a celebrity in Auburn….he knew everybody and everybody
knew him. He was funny and always enjoyed hearing about what you were
doing and often knew someone you knew. There was not a person on the
Police Force who didn’t know “Choff”. I remember his endless passion
for selling tickets to the Policeman’s ball and how he had a way of
gathering a crowd. Choff was the type of person who would do
anything for you and was endlessly glad to see you. He was proud of
his 3 children and often loved to tell of their adventures both at home
and abroad. Choff always had a story to tell and was the the guy you
could sit and talk to for hours. On a Saturday morning you were sure
to see him driving around town in his ElCamino waving to most that went
by as he always knew someone. He was kind to young and old alike. He
would often carry hard candy in his pocket and upon greeting would ask
if you wanted a piece…an early memory of mine from childhood that was
passed down to my own children remembering that. I will miss seeing
his eyes light up everytime a child walked into the room, how he looked
at my Aunt, how he enjoyed gathering with family and friends and how
he somehow knew your presence in his life.

For about the last decade its hard to think about “Choff” without
thinking of “Ellen”. Ellen has not just been a wife to Choff while
he was with us, she remained his best friend, his rock, his caretaker
and most of all the one person he could always count on. To walk into
their home on Paul Street you were always welcome and “Choff” always
knew you were there. I always got a kick out of him saying that we
could swim in HIS pool anytime….even with the sign Ellen’s Paradise
overhanging in the background. Ellen would laugh and was just happy
that you were there to visit. Ellen would hardly leave Choff’s side
and in the beginning of his illness they would go on their daily walks
to the YMCA, sit out by the pool, attend Sunday mass and then for a
little sliver of time on her own, would drop off Choff to OTB.
Choff would often gather with friends at the old Lum’s restaurant and
plenty of his buddies kept him busy. As a couple, they made many
fond memories, from taking their grandkids to Disney World to traveling
out of the country to visit what he would call his famous son and
daughter – the models, to cruising around the ocean and yes those many
trips to Veronon Downs with family membersJim and Nancy Hickey and Tom
and Rochelle Hickey. He took a lot of pride in his family and was the
first one to share all of their triumphs with you.

Looking back my Aunt Ellen and Uncle Choff ‘s relationship was that of
unconditional love and undying support on the part of my Aunt. Today I
want to thank her for keeping him with us and for caring for him so
deeply in his time of need. Paul Street will not be the same without
my Uncle Choff and we will have all learned from him and my aunt what
the words courage and faith really mean. His journey in life was not
always easy and neither was my aunt’s but they made it work because of
their willingness to make the most of their time here together. He has
now finally found the peace he had been searching for all along. I
know Laurie Beth will watch over him now.

Patricia + Giuseppe Piazzi

May 8, 2008

I have no words to express except join you in our silence and prayers , the journey of life is a long one filled with joy and pain , I wish we were there to be with you and we feel even farther then we are , we send you our warmest condolences and hope to be able to be with you , altogether in the very near future but on this side of the world .
Elen I send you as many hugs as I can , Jackie as many karmic thoughts we can fit into our telepathic chanels ,Tommy I wish I was there to hug you and Jimmy I do not know you but do feel very much part of your family and all the members that we all love very dearly .
Our deepest sympathies we shall be having a mass for you tomorrow at
Don Mauro Piazzis church at Fiesso di Castenaso Bologna for you all ,
and I shall light as many candles I can at the Duomo .
Patti + Giuseppe Piazzi

bridget flaherty

May 8, 2008

tommy and jackie,

i'm sorry for the loss of your father--please know how much i care for you both my thoughts are with you and your family. love you so much.

Joan Costello

May 8, 2008

Dear Cioffa Family - My deepest sympathies are with you at this time. Mr. Cioffa was one of my dad's best. He loved him for his dedication to his job, community and mostly his family.

He will be missed by many. My dad was proud to serve with him. I have fond memories of him and his work with the Policeman's Ball.

Joan E. Costello

Kara Moran

May 8, 2008

Our thoughts are with all of you today and tomorrow......and I wish we were there just because.
Love you dearly-
Kara and Gable

celine kaplan

May 8, 2008

Jackie

there is nothing i can say or think that would ease this painful moment - just know i am here for you and you are in my thoughts. celine

John & Josephine Paczkowski

May 8, 2008

Our hearts and prayers go out to Jim's family during this tough time. We knew Jim very well. He was a kind and helpfull person to all. It was always a pleasure to chat with Jim. He will be sadly missed.

Tom DeFurio

May 8, 2008

To Jim's Family.

I knew Jim all of my life. He was a fine policeman, and a good person. He will be missed by the community and all that loved him. My sincere sympathy for your great loss.

Tom

Ted Pettigrass

May 8, 2008

Dear Ellen&Family-Please accept our heartfelt condolences on behalf of my family. Jim touched the lives of all that he came in contact with in a very positive way, and his smile and interaction with people was his everlasting trademark and legacy. I am unable to travel to Auburn due to recent surgery, but he will remain in my prayers and thoughts always. I am blessed in the fact that I knew Jim.

Michael Lepak

May 8, 2008

Jim was a wonderful person and good friend. Our deepest sympathy to the family from Mike Lepak and family.

May 7, 2008

TO JIM'S FAMILY, I REMEMBER JIM AS I WAS GROWING UP- SO KIND, AND ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT OTHERS. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU - ALONG WITH THE CITY OF AUBURN.

ED STOKER

May 7, 2008

Dear Ellen & Family, You quite likely don't know me, however I was a State Trooper out of Auburn Barracks and knew Jim and knew him to be a great asset to the force as well as Law Enforcement in general. Only Law Enforcement people and THEIR FAMILY'S know the job isn't easy and if done right it is very rewarding! Jim did it right. Sincerely, Ed Stoker

Barbara Irish Smith

May 7, 2008

Dear Ellen,
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved husband Jim.
I am the girl that worked for Dr. Simmons and you worked for Anderson & Boyle many years ago!
There is no doubt that Jim's passing will be a great loss to all who knew him.
Most Sincerely,
Barbara Irish Smith
Auburn

Louie & Annie Amoia

May 7, 2008

Dear Ellen and family, We are so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. We know that he has joined my Dad (Tony Longo) in Heaven. They were a great team! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Dave Rabuano

May 7, 2008

Ellen and Family,
Words can't tell enough of Mr. Cioffa's kindness and work that He has done in this community. He was always willing to be there for someone else, to make there life better and to raise money for whomever. Your Family lost a Great, Father, Husband, and Leader for all this community!! My prayers and all of our family's prayers go out to Mr. Cioffa and his family . Thanks for all you did Mr. Cioffa.

Carol B

May 7, 2008

I remember when I was a kid we always used to see Det Cioffa all over the town, and we'd kid about donuts. He was a great guy and we all respected him. He made the police "friends" of the kids- instead of intimidated and for that, I will always remember him. He was such a nice man. When we would go to the station, he would remember us and joke. (Because back then- kids DID go down there!!) His family should be very proud..........My sympathy

Mike OHora

May 7, 2008

Jim was a wonderful person who always took the time for others. Always a great smile and a firm handshake and a genuine caring for others. May your memories (and there are many of them) of the wonderful years he had soon be of comfort and help ease the pain. Our hearts go out to you at this time.

Luanne

May 7, 2008

Ellen,Jackie,Jimmy,Tommy and Charlie
Cioff has touched many of our lives,I know he has mine.Ellen you are such a caring and strong woman who never put herself first.Cioff was as lucky to have you in his life as you were to have him in your life,he has such a loving and caring family and he will be missed greatly,his love for his family and all the wonderful memories you have all had together will forever be in your hearts.When i think of Cioff,all I can say is, he was very strong and quite a Gentle-man.A man of dignity and pride.My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you go through this difficult time.

Kelley Gridley

May 7, 2008

Aunt Ellen, Jimmy, Jaci, and Tom-
I will forever remember Uncle Choff and his El Camino and all the great times our family had.
Aunt Ellen - you have never ceased to amaze me with your strength - you are an inspiration.
I love you!

Carol Doyle

May 7, 2008

Dear Ellen,
My sincere condolences to you and your family ! I always loved to joke around with Jim, he was such a nice guy! He is at peace now Ellen, you were a wonderful wife!
Carol (Wawro) Doyle

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