James G. Ciampa

    James G. Ciampa passed away on January 15, 2019. Born in Boston, 61 years ago and a lifelong resident of Dorchester, Jim attended St. Peter’s Grammar School, Don Bosco High and the University of Lowell.

    Jim grew up in St. Peter’s parish with loads of friends and lots of fun.  He played the drums for St. Peter’s band and was an alter boy. Jimmy was a wonderful older brother  who often let his sisters play tag football, baseball and sometimes even hockey long before Title IX. Family lore says Jim  was the youngest known painter of a triple decker as part of a dynamic duo with his big brother Joe. A tremendous skater, Jim played ice hockey from a young age, beginning in the Levant St. backyard rink  made with his brother. Hockey continued long into adulthood with pick-up teams.

    His afterschool job in high school was at M.P. White Hardware in Boston--  he bought the business ten years later at the age of twenty-six with his brother as his business partner.  Under his stewardship, Jim saw M.P. White Hardware, founded in 1900, celebrate its 100th year of business.

Thereafter, Jim was a longtime employee of Boston University Facilities Department where he managed supplies and materials for over 100 campus buildings. Whether you were a plumber, electrician, carpenter or construction worker, Jim had an affinity for tools and a vast encyclopedic knowledge of materials necessary for your trade.  He loved the hardware business and the daily interaction with all tradespeople.

Not only was Jim the ultimate handyman, he was a skilled craftsman. Following in his dad’s footsteps, he enjoyed  furniture making and carpentry and furthered his skills at the North Bennett Street School in Boston.

In his spare time, Jim also liked to ride.  He was a collector of American classics--Harley Davidson motorcycles and vintage Corvettes. Jim loved his country and was a proud American.  For Jim there was not much better than riding his Harley along the coastline to Hingham on a beautiful weekend morning. He also liked his daily crossword puzzle and watching PBS.

Jim was loved and greatly respected by his neighbors. Jim always took time out to check in with a “Howsitgoin?” He made sure his homes were an asset to the street, meticulously maintained throughout the seasons, with beautiful  spring and summer plantings and Christmas lights to celebrate the season.

Uncle Jim took great pride in his nieces and nephews’ accomplishments, often willing to offer guidance and anecdotes about the “good old days.”

Jim was extremely generous and selfless, always putting others’ needs above his own.  He took care of those around him even if it meant that he went without. He was the tireless caretaker of his father Antonio who died at the age of 100 after over  a year of ill health. Beloved son of the late Antonio & Jennie M. (Abundo) Ciampa. Loving brother of Joseph G.  Ciampa, Boston Fire Department, of Dorchester & his wife, Joy; Margherita Ciampa Coyne of Hyde Park & her husband, Brian and Maria Elisa Ciampa of Milton & her husband, Frederick Connelly. Also survived by his nieces and nephews: Antonio Ciampa, Kyle, Gabriella and Christian Coyne and Frederick and Genevieve Connelly.  Gone too soon he will be greatly missed.

There was a Funeral Mass celebrated at St. Anne Church, Neponset and interment in St. Joseph Cemetery, Boston.

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