James A. Avitabile of East Hampton, who was retired from the New York State Office of Court Administration, where he had been a court planner for the New York City court system, died at home on March 1. A 15-year bladder cancer survivor, he was 82.
Mr. Avitabile began his career at the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission and the state’s Urban Development Corporation. He was a recipient of the Bernard Botein Award for outstanding contributions to the administration of the courts.
He used his background in architectural preservation to design and supervise the construction of his residences in East Hampton and Amagansett.
A fan of Broadway theater, he also enjoyed creative writing and was an aficionado of classic trans-Atlantic ocean liners, studying their design, construction, and history.
Born on June 21, 1942, to Madeline and James Avitabile, he grew up on Staten Island. He earned a bachelor’s degree from New York University and a master’s degree in architectural preservation from Cornell University.
He is survived by a sister, Bernadette Surak, and her husband, Jerry Surak, a nephew, Zachary Surak, and his wife, Pamela Surak, a great-nephew, Nathaniel, and two great-nieces, Charlotte and Madeline, all of New Jersey. He also leaves his “dear friend and caregiver, Dean Albergo,” his family said, “and Chance, his rescue dog.”
Mr. Avitabile was cremated. A funeral Mass will be said at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in East Hampton on Monday at 11 a.m.
