Jim Arceri of Amagansett had "an interesting and varied life" that always brought him back to the beach, his family said.
He died of heart failure in the care of East End Hospice in Quiogue on Nov. 19 after a short illness. He was 60.
Having worked in the kitchens of Gordon's and Bountiful Board restaurants here, Mr. Arceri learned to cook. He also liked to drive heavy equipment, a skill he honed as a municipal employee of the Village of Ocean Beach on Fire Island, where he lived for 20 years. He worked as a house mover and piledriver during the off-season, and plowed snow for Metcalf Carting in winter.
He "was able to adapt to whatever the job called for," his family said.
More recently, Mr. Arceri delivered equipment and car parts to job sites and auto repair shops. "He loved to drive, and found our busy roads a great challenge," his family said.
He never married, but was known as a loyal friend to many. His friends at the Bock Auto repair shop in Amagansett "helped him immensely, especially during his time of need," according to his family.
James J. Arceri was born in Bay Shore on March 27, 1962, the youngest of five children of the former Patricia Bornstadt and Louis Arceri. The year he was born, the family built a house in the BeachHampton section of Amagansett, where they spent weekends and summers for decades. He learned to swim in the bay and enjoyed surfing at the beach in Ditch Plain in Montauk.
Mr. Arceri grew up in North Babylon and attended school there, leaving before graduation to begin working. He later passed the G.E.D. exam to earn his high school diploma. In 1990, he moved from Fire Island to the family home in BeachHampton.
He leaves his four siblings, Mary Jane Arceri of Springs, Nancy Arceri and LJ Arceri of East Hampton, and Kenneth Arceri of the Mastic and Shirley area. Also surviving are his nieces and nephew, Rose Schellinger, June Arceri, and Nicholas Arceri, and their young children, Tucker, Sawyer, and Phoebe.
Mr. Arceri was cremated. A memorial ceremony will take place on Dec. 10 at 11 a.m. on Napeague Beach, followed by a gathering at the family home on Wyandanch Lane. His family has suggested memorial donations to East End Hospice, at eeh.org, or the Springs Food Pantry, at springsfoodpantry.com.
