James Vigilante an ‘Unexpected Great Loss,’ Local Officials Say

A great guy and a terrible loss. That was the constant sentiment among those who worked with and knew James Vigilante, who died at the age of 49 from a heart attack Sunday morning. Many said it came as a great shock.

Vigilante was a U.S. Air Force Reserves Master Sgt., Morris County Republican Committee member and former Parsippany Town Councilman.

In front of Vigilante’s home is a large framed photo and several tribute items. Over at Parsippany township hall, there were laughs and tears as many shared their favorite memories of Vigilante.

His visiting hours are Wednesday from 5 - 8 p.m. and Thursday from 4 - 8 p.m. at Par Troy Funeral Home.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Liturgy of Christian Burial to be offered at 11 a.m. on Friday at Saint Peter the Apostle R.C. Church at 179 Baldwin Road, Parsippany and his cremation will be private, according to Par Troy Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, make donations in his memory to The Wounded Warrior Project.  370 7th Avenue (Suite 1802), New York, NY 10001. http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

“He had a big heart. He helped anybody and everyone,” said Leslie Miller, from the township’s clerk office. “He always had an infectious smile, full of life and never had a bad day. He had this large voice and he always smiled. I’ve been friends with him for a long time and he will be missed. It’s a loss for everyone. He made such a difference in so many people’s lives.”

Miller added that her “father was very close to him. My father was a councilman years and years … (Vigilante) he was just a lot of fun. He could be serious, but he did a lot of goofy things. He was always been upbeat,” she said.

“He stopped in the office often and always had a smile on his face,” said Michelle Post, of the township’s tax assessor’s office. “He was very friendly, very thoughtful and always asked how we were all doing. He went to Afghanistan for a while ... It’s such a shame … He was such a fixture; it won’t be the same … It makes you stop and think …”

“Jimmy was like family. He was always here in my office telling me about his latest (plan) on how he was going to develop a property somewhere,” said Rob Pizza of the township’s zoning office. “If there was ever hometown hero, that was Jimmy … it was an unexpected great loss. To take a guy who’s 49 years old and in such great shape … it’s just hard to believe that you’re here one minute and gone the next.”

Terry Coletta, the township’s fire protection subcode official for 15 years, knew Vigilante well.

“He was always one of those larger than life characters. When he entered a room, he commanded their attention. Even behind the scenes he would help you if he could,” said Coletta. “It’s a loss, terribly.”

“In our world, there are givers and takers. Jimmy was a selfless giver,” said Ron Ferrari, head of the building department. “They say only the good die young. It’s true. Jimmy was the kind of person that couldn’t do enough for people.

He gave an example. Ferrari said that he went on to Vigilante’s Facebook page and looked at the most recent post, which was Wednesday last week.

“Jimmy had plans to go to the Arlington National Cemetery (in Virginia) on Friday, which was the 50th anniversary of the shooting of President Kennedy,” said Ferrari. “Jimmy posted on (Facebook) that he was going down to the ceremonies and if anyone wanted him to place a tribute—a flag a wreath, anything—at a loved one’s grave, to reach out to him and he would do that.”