Giacomo “Jim” Federico

Giacomo “Jim” Federico, age 84 of Wayne, died on Friday, April 29, 2022. At the time of his passing, Jim was surrounded by his family, celebrating his sixtieth wedding anniversary.

Jim was the co-founder, president and CEO of NJ Met, an electronics testing laboratory in Clifton, NJ. Jim truly made the best of the opportunities available to him here in America, and he remained especially grateful for the blessings he received. His hard work and determination paid off. He is a fine example of the successful accomplishments of the American Dream.

Jim was born in Benevento, Italy, the oldest of four sons to Giuseppe and Angela Maria Federico. Jim’s family had a farm with vast field of tomatoes, olives and fig trees. He learned to work the farm at a very young age, and developed a strong work ethic as a result. In 1957, he came to the USA and settled in Paterson. His cousin helped him to secure his first job in America as a florist, but he had a rather dynamic career path thereafter; he worked briefly for the railroad, a Paterson silk dye house, he earned his Black and Blue Seal Licenses on Thermal/Mechanical Energy, worked and did some freelance landscaping for a successful entrepreneur. To say he was driven would be an understatement.

Jim met his wife, Angelina D’Alessandro in the Paterson neighborhood where they had both settled after emigrating from Italy. They courted for a couple of years before marrying on April 29, 1962 at St. Anthony’s RC Church in Paterson. They honeymooned to Miami Beach before returning to Paterson, where they lived with their parents before buying their first home in the Lakeview section of Paterson. They later lived in Saddle Brook from 1973 – 1996 before moving to Wayne, where they have lived ever since. They’ve enjoyed a very loving marriage of sixty years, which included a great deal of travel.

Over the course of Jim’s career, he had been very fortunate to travel to many interesting destinations that included China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, the U.K., Germany, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, and countless other destinations. Among his most favorite of destinations was Israel which was visited in 2014. His travels have taken him literally around the world, for which he is grateful, but admits that there is no place like home.

Jim’s children describe their father as a “giant among men,” despite being just five-feet-two-inches tall. He was a strong man, quiet, yet generous beyond measure. He would do anything for you and it was his heart’s desire to help others in any way he could. When his grandchildren began to arrive, his kids noticed a marked change in their father, as he softened a great deal. His grandchildren were the love of his life, and he wouldn’t hesitate to tell them. They will all miss him dearly.

Jim was also very charitable and shared his prosperity generously to Eva’s Village, Oasis Haven, and many other local and international charities. The Italian Tribune magazine presented him with the “Italian Heritage Award” in 2018, and he received several other similar awards during his lifetime. He also enjoyed gardening which served as both his hobby and therapy! He grew figs, persimmons, and lemon trees, as well as the traditional vegetables. In his sunroom, he maintained his trees during the winter months, transplanting them outside in spring. His garden thrived, and there was always an abundance of vegetables to be shared among family and friends. He used to maintain a bunny pen years ago in his yard, and he was especially fond of his dogs, having had many throughout the years. Currently, his “grandpuppy” Bentley, a Morkie breed, is his best buddy and followed Jim everywhere he went with Louie and Bella and never forgot Gigi (the only dog he would ever share his recliner with!).

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of sixty years; Angelina (nee D’Alessandro) of Wayne, two children;, Joseph Federico of Wayne, Virginia Giannini and her husband Michael of Wayne, five grandchildren; Nicole Federico-Hrissikos and her husband Peter of Waldwick, Michael Giannini and his fiancé Julia Maniaci of Lincoln Park, Danielle Federico of Wayne, Christina Giannini of Wayne, and Stephanie Giannini of Wayne, and his two brothers; Elio Federico and Ralph Federico. He was predeceased by his brother Carmine in 2015.

For those wishing to make a donation in Jim’s memory, please consider Eva’s Village in Paterson, www.evasvillage.org, or Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children in Paterson, www.oasisnj.org.