James Agresti

James Agresti, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 29th, 2026, surrounded by his family.

James, known to those who love him as Jim, was born to James and Susan Agresti and raised in Secaucus, New Jersey. He graduated from Saint Peter’s College in Jersey City and became a CPA, beginning his career with a small business firm. While starting a family and building a life with his wife, Irene, Jim accepted a financial management position with Howmedica, Inc. Over the next 27 years, he rose through the company and eventually served as Senior Vice President. Jim remained with Howmedica until he retired in 1999 just before the birth of his first grandchildren.

Jim was nothing short of an exceptional man. He was kind, generous, talented, hardworking, adventurous, caring, spirited, and deeply devoted to his loved ones. Nothing brought him greater joy than spending time with family and friends, creating lifelong memories. He passed along invaluable lessons regarding boating and spending time outdoors, baking bread, and making his famous homemade sauce.

Jim and the love of his life, Irene, were middle-school sweethearts. They were blessed not only to grow old together, but to grow up together, too. They married on November 19th, 1966, and poured every ounce of their love into their family. While Jim inspired everyone through his integrity, dedication, and perseverance, he will be remembered most by his family for his unwavering ability to love unconditionally and wholeheartedly.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Irene Agresti (nee Braude), his daughter Annette and son-in-law Al Jaatinen, his son Michael and daughter-in-law Christine (nee Buczko), and his grandchildren Martina and her husband Gianni Spinella, Adrian, Elyssa, and Nolan, his sisters Denise and her husband Dennis Cunningham and Joanne and her husband Kendall Steven, his Aunt Doris Scalzo, as well as many dear cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Friends may visit with the family at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave, Wyckoff, NJ on Monday, August 3rd from 4:00-8:00 PM. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, 900 Darlington Avenue, Mahwah, NJ on Tuesday, August 4th at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories, Washington Township.

Memorial donations/contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and would be greatly appreciated.

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