James William “Jim” Villano, age 70, of Frenchtown, NJ, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 surrounded by his family at the home of his brother Chris, in Garner, NC.

Born in Somerville, NJ, May 17, 1946, son of Chris C. Villano of Flagtown, NJ and the late Emily Stoker Villano, who died in 1963, Jim had resided in Frenchtown for the past twenty-five years, having formerly lived in Hillsborough, NJ.

Retired from the Hillsborough Township Road Department, Jim was truly a renaissance man who was a “jack of all trades.” He could fix a car engine one day, redo the electric in a house the next and then custom build anything out of wood. He was extremely artistic and creative and could make anything with his hands. He leaves behind many handmade objects his family will cherish.

Jim was an outside of the box type thinker and was always there to lend a hand to anyone in need. He was not one to be asked to do something; he was usually the first one to do something for someone else without being asked and the old adage of giving someone, “the shirt off your back without asking for anything in return,” describes Jim perfectly.

A history buff, who loved to travel with his family touring Civil War battlefields and other historical sites,  Jim also loved motorcycles and steam locomotives. Anything mechanical truly peaked his interests.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a brother, Alan, in 1950.

Surviving are his father, Chris C. Villano and wife, Loretta of Flagtown, NJ; a daughter, Sharon Villano in Colorado; three granddaughters; one great grandson; his siblings, Chris L. and wife, Barbara Villano of Garner, NC, Glenn Villano of Easton, PA, Sherry Folsom of Houston, TX, Ken and wife, Jeanine Villano of South Bound Brook, NJ, Debbie Horinko of Flagtown, NJ, Art and wife, Kelly Villano of Hillsborough, NJ, and Gregg Villano of Flagtown, NJ; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

A memorial gathering will take place on Saturday, August 13, 2016 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. with memorial services beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

Everyone is invited to visit Jim’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to send a public or private message of condolence and to share stories and photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kingwood Township Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 199, Baptistown, NJ 08803-0199 or to your local rescue squad in Jim’s memory.