James George Criskos

Born August 7th, 1953, James George Criskos passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was known to many people by many different names. He was called James, Jim, Jimmy Jo, Cisco, Uncle Jimmy, Cousin, Lord of the Oinkers, Jimbeaux, Dad, and his proudest name- Papou. James was born in Manhattan, New York, to George James Criskos and Jennie Criskos. In his early teenage years, he worked at a candy shop in the Bronx, where he folded newspapers and made egg cream sodas. He also met his lifelong friend Rusty, and the two spent countless summer days going to Yankee Stadium together. When he was 16 years old, he moved to Astoria, Queens, New York, where he met his "brother" Walter and long-time friends Robert, Michael, Anthony, and Mary. At 18, he worked at a sandwich cart. At 21, he started working at Warner-Lambert, where he started his career in accounting. At a farewell party for a friend, he met the love of his life, Patricia. Their love was officially recognized on August 19th 1978, when they were married at St Catherine and George Church in Astoria. Two years later, in the heat of July, their family grew as they introduced their son George. Three years later, their family was completed with the birth of daughter Jennifer. Jim's strong work ethic allowed Pat to stay home and raise their kids, while he worked a full-time job, went to college to earn his accounting degree, and worked 2nd jobs in the money rooms of Shea Stadium, Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, and Nassau Coliseum. In his later years, James found a new passion, jazz music. Armed with 2 beach chairs, an umbrella, and his wife at his side, Jim found Crawfish Festival in New Jersey. He experienced Geno Delafose and his squeeze box, and a spark was ignited. This led him to a group of Jazz lovers known as the Thread Heads. His new group of friends evolved into the Thread Head Cultural Foundation, which raised money for New Orleans-based musicians, writers, and artists. This past year alone, they handed out 25 grants to local artists.

His family began to grow with the addition of George's wife, Angela. In 2014, Jim received his greatest honor, becoming a Papou, with the birth of his grandson James, and was bestowed that honor again in 2015 with granddaughter Athena. He is survived by his wife Patricia, Son George, Daughter Jennifer, daughter-in-law Angela, Grandchildren James and Athena, and countless nieces and nephews.

We ask that instead of flowers, please donate to the Thread Head Cultural Foundation in his name, https://www.thcfnola.org/

A celebration of life will be held at a future date. Arrangements are by the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834

“Live life to the fullest” - James Criskos