James Caramanno

1940 - 2023

James Caramanno, 83, Scranton, died Friday after an illness at Geisinger Community Medical Center. He was born July 6, 1940, to Italian immigrants Concetta Mastracchio and Pasquale Caramanno. Jimmy and his wife, Caroline (Kay Kay) Diaz Caramanno, celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on Dec. 10.

Jimmy fell in love with his wife, Kay, when they were very young children growing up on Ninth Street (little Italy) in the 1940s. Together they had and raised eight children, one who passed away at birth and another who passed away in 1987 after a freak car accident. Jimmy attended Mother Cabrini and Lafayette elementary schools before heading to West Scranton High School. After high school Jimmy worked for local food and restaurant establishments, including Williams Bakery and Mondo's Restaurant on the wholesale block in downtown Scranton.

In the 1970s, Jimmy and his dear friend Art Bier adventured into buying and selling harness racehorses all over the Northeast. Particularly at Pocono Downs, Monticello and Northfield Park. In the 1990s, Jimmy helped his youngest son, Robert, establish Caramanno's Restaurant. Jimmy loved the restaurant and especially the customers. He loved talking politics, playing dice and betting on the horses. He enjoyed his coffee and Lucky Strike cigarettes, but most of all, he loved and treasured his wife and his family and his very dear friend, Joey, who was like a son to him.

Jimmy is survived by his children, Joseph (Michelle), Connie (Fran) Kudrich, Ann (Chris) Krouchick, Rose Jobs, Jimbo (Liza) and Robert (Amy). He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Tony Jr., Tiffany, Samantha, Jimbo, Jason, Nicholas, Sierra, Joseph Jr., Cordaro, Alexis Caramanno, Christopher Krouchick, David, and Michael Jobs, and Caroline Kudrich; as well as 15 great-grandchildren. He is survived by one brother-in-law, Joseph Krolak; and many special nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved.

He was preceded in death by his sons, James and Anthony Caramanno; grandson, Jordan Kudrich; granddaughter, Serena Caramanno; and son-in-law, David Jobs Sr. He is also preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Josephine Elias, Frank Caramanno, August Caramanno, Carmella Krolak, Mary Evans and Rose Caramanno. Also, Jimmy was proud of his Favara, Sicilian family who visited Scranton last Christmas.

We would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Leo and staff and Dr. Kishori and staff for all the dedication and care that they provided to him during his illness.

A viewing for family and friends will be held Wednesday, Dec. 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Thomas J. Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 1240 St. Ann's St., Scranton, with a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, Dec. 28, at 10 a.m. at St. Ann's Basilica, Scranton. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery.