James J. Aiello, Sr.

Herkimer - James J. (Jim) Aiello, Sr., 91, a lifelong Herkimer resident, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Saratoga Hospital, with the love and support of his family by his side.

He was born on January 28, 1934, in Herkimer, the son of the late Joseph and Maria Stella (Fazio) Aiello. He was probably born with some sort of sports ball in his hands, because as a young boy, he used to practice throwing curve balls into his pillow, until he would miss and hit the wall and his mother would make him stop!

Jim was a graduate of Herkimer High School, class of 1951. He also attended Ithica College and Springfield College. He excelled in all sports and lettered all four years of high school in football, basketball, baseball and track. He once scored 64 points in a basketball game when he played in the LF industrial league He then was offered a full scholarship for Basketball to George Washington University. But his heart was in baseball. As a pitcher in HS, he struck out 21 players in 7 innings. Larry Hughes was his catcher and always had the dirtiest uniform on the team from digging his curve balls out of the dirt.

Baseball scouts started looking at him as a sophomore. In total 12 out of the 16 major league teams scouted him, invited him to their training camps and made him offers. He worked out with the Giants in the polo grounds, Brooklyn Dodgers, NY Yankees, Boston Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates, to name a few. Tony Ravish from the NY Giants came by every summer since he was a sophomore, to work with him.
He wanted him to sign with the Giants, but in the end, after traveling all around the country and having the privilege of working out with some of the biggest names in baseball, he accepted the offer from the NY Yankees. He signed with them on August 7th, 1951, as one of the "bonus babies", as they were called in those days.

At Yankee Stadium he worked out with names like Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. He chased fly balls with Mickey Mantle and pitched batting practice to all the 1951 NY Yankees, including Bill Dickey and Yogi Beara. His locker was between Joe D and Mickey Mantle. It was Joe’s last year and Mickey’s first. One day, Johnny Mise called him over to help him autograph a few dozen baseballs for charity. Somebody has a ball with Johnny Mize's name on it, that Jim Aiello signed! He was a pitcher but played outfield and first place at times.

On November 5, 1955, Jim was united in marriage to Concetta (Jetta) Morra at St. Anthony’s Church by the late Rev. Gustave Purificato.

Mr. Aiello was drafted into the United States Army and had to report on Sep 10, 1956. While in the Army he served as a player/coach/manager for the army baseball team in Fort Dix, NJ. It was there that a sportswriter gave him the name of the New Herkimer Hurricane, a name first given to professional boxer, Lou Ambers. He led the team to winning the US Army Eastern championship. They travelled to Fort Carson, CO to play in the Army National championship tournament. After serving 2 years in the Army, he was honorably discharged on September 9, 1958. He made the decision to leave professional baseball after suffering a career ending injury to his pitching arm, and went back home to join the family business, Aiello's Supermarket and Jos Aiello Realty.

He always loved baseball and did continue to play semi pro ball in the Utica Muny league with Larry Hughes again as his catcher. He also coached the Herkimer Hurricanes, semi-pro team. He was always willing to share his knowledge and was often asked to give individual pitching lessons to a lot of the young ball players in the valley. So, when Larry Hughes called him to help coach the HS and America Legion teams, he accepted immediately. They produced some amazing baseball players and lead the 1980 American Legion team to win the NY State Championship.

Mr. Aiello was a lifelong member of the Church of Sts. Anthony & Joseph Church, the St. Anthony’s Glee Club, the former St. Anthony’s Crusaders and was on the HUD board. Golf was his passion later in life where he also excelled, making three holes-in-one. We take comfort in knowing the foursomes are reunited in Heaven and playing on the celestial links.

His passion for Faith, Family, Friends and Fun was the essence of his extraordinary life. He had a blind faith and a deep love for Jesus, His Blessed Mother and Padre Pio. His family was his life, and his love and pride for each and every one of them was immeasurable. He and his wife, Jetta did everything together, including breaking their hips 3 weeks apart his past year, which forced them to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary at home in side-by-side hospital beds.

Jim and Jetta spent their winters at Cocoa Beach, Fl where he leaves a community of friends that had become like family. His golfing buddies and especially the members of the Glee Club, were his soul mates and often partners in “crime”. He was often the ringleader of their crazy, innocent antics, pranks and humor. His mission was to make people smile, laugh and feel good about themselves and life. He did it effortlessly by lighting up a room with his smile, listening, caring and making everyone he met feel special. He had a God given gift that came from deep within that shone brightly to all who met him.

He was a rock-solid presence, uplifting everyone in his family with his love and care. He will be cherished forever, and his legacy of love, faith, joy, humility, laughter, kindness, patience and wisdom will continue to inspire us all.

Survivors include his loving wife of 70 years, Jetta; a daughter, Jonna LaMarco and husband Raymond; a son, Jamie Aiello; eight grandchildren, James LaMarco and wife Chelsea, John LaMarco and fiancé Jadin Swartz, Bianca LaMarco, Alyssa Zumpano and husband Tom, Jenna Aiello, Julianna Aiello and fiancé Steven Goracy, James Aiello, III, and David Aiello; a great grandson, Liam Aiello Goracy; in-laws, Patricia Volo, Bella Aiello, and Edward (Ned) Bingham.

He was pre-deceased by his sisters, Francesca (Chickie) Aiello and Angelina Giuliano, and his brothers, Thomas, Anthony & Frank Aiello.

The family will be receiving relatives and friends on Friday, December 26, 2025, from 5 - 8 pm at the locally owned and family operated, Vincent A. Enea Funeral Service, (next to Hannaford Markets) 527 E. Albany St., Herkimer, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Francis Vivacqua on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 9:30 am at the Church of Sts Anthony & Joseph, South Main St., Herkimer, NY. Burial at Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer, NY will take place in the spring with full military honors accorded.  In lieu of flowers please make all memorial contributions to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 or to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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