James Peter Panico of Maitland, FL, has passed away, leaving behind a family and community who loved him dearly.
Some stories deserve to be told slowly. This is one of them.
James held deeply to the Catholic faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
What is held in faith is rarely lost.
James P. Panico (90) of Maitland, FL passed peacefully on the 29th of April, 2026 surrounded
by family.
James was born on April 14th, 1936 in New Haven, Connecticut. He was raised in the Branford-New Haven, CT area alongside his sister, Marie Wishau and brother, Anthony Panico, and graduated from Branford High School. He then went on to earn his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut. Later, he attended law school at the University of Florida and earned his Juris Doctor in 1967.
In 1961, James married the love of his life, Rose Ellen (Spellman) Panico, whom he was happily married to for 65 years. Rose and Jim were blessed with two beautiful children, Kevin and Mark Panico. He had three granddaughters, Tara (Lance) Henson, Kara (Stephen) Panico, and Sara Panico; and four great-grandchildren, Lane Henson, Lauren Henson, Levi Panico Kostoff, and Trillium Panico Kostoff.
Jim practiced law for over 60 years in Maitland and surrounding areas. During his time in Maitland, Jim was an active member of the community and served on the Maitland City Council, the Rotary, and the Diocese of Orlando Department of Education. He was a devout member of Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church where he served as an Lector and Knights of Columbus. Jim was an avid Gator fan, and spent most of his Saturdays in the Swamp cheering on his alma mater.
Jim was a dependable, loving, and caring brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, relative, and friend and will be dearly missed by so many.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory - Maitland Chapel, 9001 N. Orlando Ave, Maitland.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 12:00 pm at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 861 Maitland Ave Altamonte Springs.
Interment will follow the mass at Queen of Angels Cemetery, 1901 Queen of Angels Dr, Winter Park, FL.
