Obituary of James Roselle

James Roselle, 89, of Jamestown, died at 1:11 am Wednesday, March 23, 2016 in the WCA Hospital. Jim was born in Jamestown, NY on April 15, 1926, the son of Joseph and Josephine Parasiliti Roselle. He was a 1944 graduate of Jamestown High School and a 1949 graduate of St. Lawrence University with a Bachelors Degree. He started working at WJTN as a radio announcer in 1953. Over the years he created the Roselle Record Room, Friday Night Sock Hops at St. James and Saturday Night Sock Hops at SS Peter and Paul. In 1974, he delivered his first broadcast at Chautauqua Institution. In 1986, Jim broadcasted from the Rose Bowl during the Jamestown Marching Band Performance. He was immensely proud of both. Some of the personalities he interviewed over the years were Governor Bill Clinton, Senator Hillary Clinton, Dr. Ruth, Mark Russell, Jane Goodall, Natalie Merchant, William Clinger, Doris Kearns Goodwin, David McCullough, Richard Simmons, Lucie Arnaz, along with many others. In 1939 he was one of the first members of the Jamestown Boys Club. At the time of his death he was a member of the Jamestown Boys Club Alumni. Among the many awards he received were: Paul Harris Fellow Award, Chautauqua Institution Old First Night Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews Honor, Dewitt Clinton Masonic Award for Community Service, American Heart Association Special Achievement Award, Herman Kent Post #777 Community Service Award, Sertoma Club Award, Excellence in Radio Broadcasting from the New York State NSDAR, the Key to the City of Jamestown by Mayor Sam Teresi, John D. Hamilton Community Service Award from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Recognition Award from the Buffalo Broadcasting Association, New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame Inductee, Grand Marshall of the Downtown Jamestown Holiday Parade, Certificate of Appreciation from Notre Dame University, Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame Award and the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He served for many years on the Lucille Ball Little Theatre Board of Directors where he also performed in several plays. He appreciated the opportunity to experience a new challenge and enjoyed every minute of that experience. He was a member of Kiwanis Club and Sertoma Club. He served as a board member of James Prendergast Library as well as the Jamestown Boys and Girls Club. For many years Jim provided WJTN election night coverage for Chautauqua County. Jim enjoyed co-hosting Saturday morning's "Times of Your Life" with Russ Diethrick. Jim Co-Authored "The Best Times of My Life - Sixty years with a Microphone and A Cup of Happiness at WJTN and Chautauqua Institution" with Walt Pickut. In earlier years, Jim enjoyed golfing. He proudly broadcasted the Italian American Charity Golf Tournament for many years. Jim loved all sports, especially the NY Giants and Notre Dame. ​ A voracious reader, Jim was frequently seen at the James Prendergast Library at the newspaper and periodical section doing research for his programs. His “Cup Of Happiness” started his day everyday. ​ Jim is survived by his wife, Kathleen Billgren Roselle whom he married on November 15, 1975 in Jamestown, two daughters, Julie D’Angelo, Jamestown and Mary Jane Roselle, Denver, Co., a son, James Roselle, Denver, Co., a step daughter, Annette Lundsten, Busti, two step sons, Phillip Nalbone (David Decker) Minneapolis, Mn. And Thomas (Iva) Nalbone, Jamestown, five grandchildren, Ricci (Wendy) D’Angelo, Randelman, N.C., Michele (David) Altepeter, Dewitt, Mich., Ariel Roselle, Denver, Co., Michael Piccone, Wichita, Ks., Catherine (Pearson) Skepnek, Demoines, Iowa, four step grandchildren, Ryan Eggleston, Buffalo, Andrew (Beth) Eggleston, Williamsville, Matthew Lundsten, Ashville and Julian Nalbone-Decker, Minneapolis, Mn., three great grandchildren, a sister, Anna Paterniti, Jamestown, sister in law, Nancy Roselle, Jamestown. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Ross, Joseph and Philip Roselle and by two sisters, Sara Messina and Grace Morrison. Jim Roselle touched the life of everyone he encountered and was an icon. He will be sadly missed by many near and far. Friends will be received on Saturday, March 26th from 1 to 4 pm and 6 to 9 pm in the Hubert Funeral Home and Cremation Services. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 12:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am Monday March 28th at St. James Catholic Church. The Rev. Darrell G. Duffy, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Boys & Girls Club, 62 Allen St., Jamestown, James Prendergast Library, 509 Cherry St. Jamestown ​ or Lucille Ball Little Theater, 18 E. 2nd St. Jamestown . You may send condolences to the family by visiting www.hubertfuneralhome.com. ​To leave a condolence ​ for the family, complete the form below.