First Posted: 2/24/2013
Attorney James R. Anzalone passed away on Feb. 14, 2013 after suffering the complications of longstanding coronary artery disease.
The eldest son of the late Anthony and Lucille Anzalone of Wyoming, he was born in 1944 in Pittston.
Attorney Anzalone attended Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School in Kingston; Pennsylvania State University, at University Park, and Villanova Law School in Villanova. After graduation from law school, he served in the Public Defender’s Office in Luzerne County and in the Law Firm of Fahey and Casper, Wilkes-Barre. As the solicitor for Jenkins and Lake townships, he had the privilege of arguing before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on their behalf. He was later named Assistant District Attorney of Luzerne County.
After a number of years in the private practice of law in Luzerne, he moved to Philadelphia and for a time worked in the Congressional Liaison Office of FEMA. In his later professional career he was a court-appointed lawyer for the city of Philadelphia, a position he held until his death.
During many years away from Wyoming Valley, he enjoyed the good fortune of pursuing his passion of spending many cherished days and weeks sailing with friends on the Chesapeake Bay! Cooking for and spending time with family and friends were among his other favorite passions.
Jim enjoyed debating and playing football in prep school and played freshman football at Penn State; he was the president of his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, and a featured vocalist and guitarist on Penn State radio. He and his brother A. Anthony were popular on campus, performing at many college events, imitating their favorite folk singers: The Kingston Trio! Over the years, the pair became locally known as The Anzalone Brothers and later created a larger acoustic group, which appeared several times on public television.
Surviving are his brother, A. Anthony Anzalone, M.D., and sister, Deborah A. Anzalone, M.D.; children, Kristen Anzalone Costello, Lauren Cranston, Carolyn Dehne, and Olivia Beauchaine; grandchildren, Julia and Kaelin Costello; Hadley, Bex and Chloe Cranston; Adelaide and Waverly Dehne.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, from the Anthony Recupero Funeral Home, 406 Susquehanna Ave., West Pittston, with a Mass of Christian Burial from St. Joseph Marello Parish/Mount Carmel Church, with the Rev. Joseph Sibilano, O.S.J., as celebrant.
In lieu of sending flowers, Jim would want you to listen to your favorite piece of music and learn a new word!
Donations in his honor may be sent to the charity of your choice, especially one that helps preserve the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay.