Manville, NJ- James P. DeGiosafatto, 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville, with his loving family by his side. Jimmy was born in 1931, son of the late Patsy and Mikalina (Russo) DeGiosafatto.

Jimmy worked for the Johns Manville Corporation for 33 years as an apprentice making insulation for the Space Shuttle which he was very proud of, he also worked for the Borough of Manville in the Public Works Department for many years before his retirement. Jimmy was a very special person who loved music and started his own band, "Jimmy De and the Happy Times" and played Polka music locally and around the area for over fifty years. Jim was a member of Christ the Redeemer Parish (Christ the King Roman Catholic Church). Jimmy was an avid night baker at Manville Bakery, enjoyed hunting, and loved using his medal detector to find all kinds of items.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his beloved wife Katherine (Malko) DeGiosafatto in 1991; brothers, Frank DeGiosafatto and Pete DeGiosafatto; and sisters, Marie Ettiere and Jeanette Flower.

Jimmy is survived by his sons, James (Alida) DeGiosafatto of Dunellen, NJ, John DeGiosafatto of Manville, and daughter, Carolyn (Darrin) DelNero of South Bound Brook, NJ. He is also survived by his special friend for over 28 years, Mary Ann Baranowski; and his sisters, Angie Castin and Rose Godown. Jimmy is survived by his adored grandchildren whom were very special to him, Ryan DeGiosafatto, Lauren DeGiosafatto, and Brandon Mueller; along with many nephews and nieces.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a viewing at Fucillo & Warren Funeral Home, 205 South Main Street, Manville, NJ 08835 on Friday, November 8 from 4-8 p.m. and on Saturday, November 9 from 8-8:30 a.m.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 9 beginning 8:30 a.m. from the funeral home followed by a 9:00 a.m. funeral liturgy at Christ the Redeemer Parish (Christ the King Roman Catholic Church) in Manville. Committal words and interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Hillsborough where Jim will be laid to rest next to his loving wife, Katherine. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim's name can be made to the Manville Rescue Squad, South 3 ^rd Avenue, Manville, NJ 08835.

Jimmy Dee and I were band mates for many years 1976 to about 1983 and when a band made dies it's like cutting off a body part. a big piece your life is missing Jimmy loved playing music of all kinds but mostly polkas. my brother Charles Vajda , AKA CHUCK started a wedding band in the late 1960s and in the early 1970s Jimmy came on board and influence the band towards a polka style band .My father Marty was the bass player .he built a recording studio in our basement and most practices were Wednesday night .the band practices were taped. yes I said taped recorded on tape .we had a Tacsk Cam real to real downstairs.They did it the old fashioned way. I don't think any of the music was saved because you could just tape over the previous recorded music when it wasn't good. I could sit in a studio all the way in the back with Don Smith and looked through 3 windows back to Jimmy in his own little studio drum room.Jimmy didnt like playing in his padded room.Most of the records were then recorded live. Which is not good becuase if one person makes a mistake you have to start the song from the beginning..Anyway the band was doing very well.playing gigs like Jack Walters TV polka show jolly Joe timmer polka a TV show, endless radio interviews to promote the band and their 2 records and many 45. The red and white album had a mix of music cha Chas waltzes even rock and roll music the 2nd album "Hello Happiness" was mostly polkas. Mostly polkas that my brother and the band wrote. One big hit song the Happytimes wrote that put them on the map was THE ONE TWO THREE POLKA .the song went viral for that time you might remember Freddie K Band re recorded the song years later and made it sound even better .The band started getting very successful the horn section which was my brother's best friend's .Don Smith. Tommy Ciriegliano and Johnny Sacota?  I think im saying his name correctly ? decided to starting and all polka band but Charles didn't want to be just play polkas .The Happytimes wanted versatility cause they were playing all over the tri state area.weddings banquets lounges bar rooms they needed to be versatile and Charles wanted to stay with that .so the band split but stayed close friends the HappyTimes next phase was about making money which sounds harsh but it was a business .and they ran it good.yes it was fun the band played every banquet anniversary wedding benefit polka party they could get their hands on. It WAS A FUN BISUNESS . My mother Mary Vajda was the manager .she'd send out contracts to all the Venues and brides with a $50 deposit to hold your date as booked. The band biz was great back in the day..You got paid CASH under the table.Jimmy and my mom were like oil and water . They would argue about anything and everything. I wish I could hear them argue once more .the HappyTimes band was playing nonstop. sometimes 3 nights a week .mostly the Tri-state area then in 1976 the leader my brother Charles was killed in a gun accident. My father told me I HAD to front the Happytimes.Ugg I didnt have my heart into it then. I was only in 8th grade. My brother started playing in 8th grade, so I couldn't use that as an excuse not to be in the band. My parents had made me do all the shows. I was 15  my friends were playing sports and I was playing bars.The band was booked 3 years in advance and That's what I walked into .Nobody canceled after my brother was killed .I thought some of the people would cancel .but they didnt. its because The Happytimes was NEVER a private party.EVERYONE was always invited. We were NOT a great sounding band by far BUT We made the fans feel like family and they just stuck with us. I could barely play the big event polka gigs on the accordion .Chat and Freddie K helped filled in to help me front the band for YEARS. Id  switch back-and-forth from my Accordiania accordion And my  to my Farfisa keyboard. Jimmy and I worked together from 1976 to 1983. At least 7 years .. Eventally I wanted  out of the Happytimes. I wanted to play bass in a Heavy Metal band and front a dance party band .so I broke up the Happytimes orchestra. Years later I restarted another Happytimes band. We played about 2 years but it was never the same. Jimmy was also using the HappyTimes name and I don't think it worked a second time for him either .so Jimmy ,now I know you're in polka heaven .Where you can never do know wrong.You can drink beer by the barrel and eat Kelbasy by the yard .You can dance the polka is all night long and sleep the whole day through and to you and Kitty in heaven we will forever be missing you .