James Pisciuneri 1944–2026

Jim was born in 1944, in New Castle, Pa., to Rocco and Minnie Stoner Pisciuneri and graduated in 1962 from Union Area High School in New Castle.

An Alpha Phi Delta known for his signature toast, “Never above you; never below you; always with you,” he graduated from Youngstown State University in 1972. Throughout his life, Jim was passionate about the grocery business. He was part-owner of Rocky II supermarket in Shenango Township, Pa., with his late brother William and prior to that, worked at Rocky’s Market in Union Township, Pa. Later in life, he founded J&S Landscaping, where he worked alongside his stepson, Craig.

Stemming from his time in the grocery business, Jim had a passion for food and loved nothing more than a home-cooked meal made by his loved ones. He often punctuated a particularly good dinner with the same remark: “You can’t eat like this in no restaurant.”

Jim lived with his wife, Stepheny, in Youngstown but never forgot his roots. As if he were the town’s unofficial ambassador, Jim never wavered from his belief that New Castle had the best hot dogs, best ice cream and best Middle Eastern food.

In his free time, Jim enjoyed golfing, reading and constructing model railroads. In his early life, he was an avid fisherman and hunter as well. A devout Steelers fan, Jim enjoyed his team’s 2000s-era dominance but was always classy about such a fact to other members of his extended family who cheered for the Browns. Jim’s big personality and welcoming nature were an institution both in his hometown and in Youngstown. Even those who just met Jim quickly felt like a member of his family–and as Jim always said, “Family is everything.”

He is survived by his daughter, Alicia Micco (Jeff); son, James “Jim Jr.” (Brandy); and grandchildren, McKenna Micco and Dante and Rocco Pisciuneri. Jim was also a grandfather figure for the family of his late wife, Stepheny, whose children include Robin (Leo Daprile) and Craig, and grandchildren, Amy, Leah, Lucas (Emily) and Stephen, and great-grandson, Leo Giovanni (mother, Julia).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Stepheny; brother, William “Billy” Pisciuneri; and his ex-wife, Barbara Pisciuneri.

The family wants to thank Jim’s next-door neighbors, Tom and Andrea; and the Lingenfelter and Daprile families for all their support.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, followed by a noon funeral service, at the Rossi Brothers and Lellio Funeral Home, 4442 South Ave., Boardman.

Family and friends are encouraged to offer prayers for the family by visiting the Book of Memories at www.rossifunerals.com.

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