James V. Desiderio

OBITUARY OF JAMES V. DESIDERIO

James V. Desiderio, age 74, a beloved father, father in law, grandfather, brother and friend passed away peacefully on July 9, 2024 after a long battle. 

Jim was born in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania and was married for 47 years to the love of his life, Naomi C. (Nee Wirdzek) Desiderio, who passed away in 2021. Together, they built a family and life in their home in Cranford, NJ. He is survived by his loving children, Philip J. Desiderio of Clark, NJ, Laura T. Dobrin and her husband Scott Dobrin of Cranford, NJ and his son Vincent T. Desiderio and his wife Aviva Desiderio of Carlisle, PA. He also leaves behind his two special grandchildren, Maya M. Desiderio and Leah C. Dobrin of Cranford, NJ and his beloved sister, Johanna Desiderio of Clark, NJ.

Jim, retired after many years working at the General Motors Plant in Linden, NJ. He later worked at the Linden Animal Shelter and at his favorite job for many years, a crossing guard for the Cranford Township. His love and devotion to the children that he crossed every day did not go unnoticed. 

He served in the National Guard of the US Army stationed in West Orange, NJ and retired after 24 years of service to his country. 

Jim, at college known as “Desi”, graduated from St. Vincent’s College in 1971 with a B.A. in History and while there enjoyed playing his all-time favorite sports of football and wrestling. While at St. Vincent’s he formed a bond with his fellow students. Desi instinctively understood these bonds would be lifelong bonds. It didn’t matter if the classmates saw one another every week, every year or once in 40-50 years; the bond would always resurface especially in times of one another’s personal tragedies and losses. To understand this phenomenon better, Desi explained to his family that back in the late 60s-early 70s, St. Vincent’s was a small liberal art, all male college. We all went to classes together, ate together and got into mischief together. Being part of a sports team brought the bond even closer. We were and remain St. Vincent College “Brothers”.

Donations can be made to St. Vincent’s College Athletic Department, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650 or the PA Wounded Warriors Project, 1013 Mumma Road, Ste. 203, Wormleysburg, PA 17043 in memory of James V. Desiderio.