James Vincent Cerullo Jr.
November 6, 1946 – February 15th, 2024
James Vincent Cerullo Jr., or “Jimmy”, as he was endearingly known by all who had the pleasure of meeting him, transitioned home to his eternal resting place on February 15th, 2024. Born in French Hospital in New York City on November 6, 1946, Jimmy’s parents would bring him home to raise him in the township he would always refer to as “God’s Country” and would ultimately call home. Jimmy was raised in North Bergen, and bled Bruins’ colors of red and gold, spending the entirety of his life serving both the adults and children of his community, doing what he loved, which was not just selling bicycles, but packaging and delivering them as memories. If you knew where 85th Street and Bergenline Avenue was, then you knew of James Vincent Bicycles.
Jimmy joined his departed wife Gloria J. (Simonetti) Cerullo, his mother Elizabeth (Ferguson) Cerullo and his mentor in life, his father James Vincent Cerullo Sr., and countless friends and family that have since left us. Jim is survived by his sister Mary (Cerullo) Buda, his son James Vincent Cerullo III, and his wife Liliana Cerullo, his son Brian Cerullo and his wife Stephanie (Cross) Cerullo, and his daughter Jillian Cerullo, as well as his four grandchildren: Jack Cerullo, William Cerullo, Julian Cerullo, and Nolan Cerullo. Nothing gave Jimmy more joy than his family, especially his children and grandchildren.
No matter where Jimmy went, he would always be stopped by someone that would say, “Mr. Vincent, I bought my first bike from you.” A humble man that did not like to be thrust into the spotlight, there was this sense of pride that the family bicycle business that his father, James Vincent Sr., started in 1936, was still talked about by sentimental adults reminiscing about their childhood. One story often raised by his sister, Mary, highlights the kind, loving soul Jimmy was, and the care he had for others. A father had bought a bicycle for his son, and the same day the bike was purchased, it was later stolen leaving both the father and son devastated. When Jimmy learned what had occurred, he replaced the bicycle for the boy free of charge, as he knew the son’s father did not have the money to buy a second bicycle. This is just one memory of many that exemplifies the love he had for his customers, his community, and his friends and family.
Donations in Jimmy’s name, may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research at give.michaeljfox.org.
Visitation on Monday from 3pm-7 pm at the Vainieri Funeral Home Funeral on Tues at 10am from the funeral home. www.vainierifuneralhome.com
Mass at 10:30am at Our Lady of Fatima Church. Interment at George Washington Cemetery.