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James V. Amato
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A private service was held Saturday in Monterey for James Vincent Amato, 51, of Modesto. He died Aug. 4, 2012.

Burial will be at Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.

Born Nov. 26, 1960, in Philadelphia, Pa., to James and Ann Amato, James was raised in New Jersey and Maryland, and eventually moved to California in the mid-1970s. He was raised in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and attended Modesto Adventist Academy in Ceres, graduating in 1979. James aspired to be a police officer and went to the Modesto Police Academy in 1981, eventually serving in both the Ceres and Hughson police departments, as well as the California Youth Authority.

After retiring from law enforcement in 1991, James was active in the security industry and served as a supervisor and in management for a variety of employers throughout the Central Valley. His experience and calm authority eventually lead him to Ontel Security, where he eventually bought the business. He was CEO and Chief of Operations for five years before entering semi-retirement in 2011 due to health issues.

James proudest accomplishment was the birth of his son, James Amato, III, from his first marriage to Melanie Martinez in 1993. He later married Leticia Piazza in Monterey in 2001. He was an avid reader, and a storyteller and followed the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He leaves behind his wife, Leticia Piazza; his son, James Amato III; and his sisters, Judy Perry Correia of Modesto and Stephanie Mason of McKinleyville.

Remembrances may be sent to Gospel Outreach, P.O. Box B, College Place, WA 99324.

-Ceres Courier/ August 15, 2012