James Thomas Aglamesis
April 26, 1927 - January 23, 2021
U.S. Veteran
James Thomas Aglamesis, Oakley civic leader and one of the nation’s premiere confectioners died on Saturday, January 23rd at his home in Cincinnati. He was 93 years old.
Mr. Aglamesis lived to see the centennial of Aglamesis Brothers Ice Cream & Candy Co. which was started by his Greek immigrant father, Thomas, and uncle, Nicholas Aglamesis in Norwood, OH in 1908. By 1913, the brothers had expanded to their present location at 3046 Madison Road. At that time, Oakley was mostly farmland. The two brothers were said to have the fastest horse and buggy in town which was critical for delivering ice cream.
James T. Aglamesis, born on April 26, 1927 was the first of Thomas and Viola Mehas Aglamesis’ three children. By the age of fourteen, he was working as a soda jerk behind the store’s marble counters. The hard work ethic learned from his father and uncle was never forgotten.
After graduating from Withrow High School, James attended the University of Cincinnati where he received his Bachelors in Business Administration. He was active in the Sigma Chi fraternity. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army as a military instructor during the Korean War.
Following his discharge in 1952, he intended to enter the business world as he had offers from leading corporations. Fate and family set him on a different path. James’ father suffered a disabling stroke forcing him to abandon his corporate career goals and take over operation of Aglamesis Brothers to support his mother and younger siblings.
James was elected President of the Oakley Chamber of Commerce in 1957 and was re-elected for multiple terms. In addition to running Aglamesis Brothers, he became a licensed real estate broker and managed multi-use properties for nearly five decades with De Metro Realty Company of which he was president.
James was appointed membership chairman of the Eastern Hills Off-Street Parking Association, an organization to retain healthy neighborhood retail commerce in Oakley, Hyde Park, Pleasant Ridge and Madisonville. He received the Cincinnati Beautification Award in 1967 for his updated storefront of Aglamesis Brothers.
In 1964, James married Bette Jayne Clark Young having become reacquainted with his U.C. classmate at a private party on New Year’s Eve in 1962. Marriage brought instant fatherhood as Jayne already had two daughters, Pamela and Karen, and a son, Randal from a previous marriage.
James served on the boards of the University Club, the Travel Club and the Vestry of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Terrace Park where he ushered for decades. He enjoyed membership at many clubs in both Cincinnati and Naples, FL.
Dancing was a favorite past time. James organized and was president of both Jagades and Sans Souci social dance groups which gathered for nearly thirty years.
In his nearly seventy years in business, James upheld the importance of integrity and producing a high quality product. He loved his customers. Over the years, he developed countless friendships from regular visitors to Aglamesis Brothers. In his later years, he enjoyed time at the shop chatting with his patrons who were like family to him. It gave him great joy to hand out surprise treats to the children that visited. He was grateful for the loyal service of his employees- many who labored with him for decades.
James’ greatest joy was his cherished wife and family and the fun memories made with an active household. He loved his pets and became a true animal lover over the years, having many cats, dogs, horses and even a goat. He was devoted to the wildlife around his home including the birds, deer, wild turkeys, and even a stray peacock that appeared and nested in his yard.
James was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Mary and Peter Aglamesis.
He is survived by his wife Jayne, children Pamela (Bernie) Svalstad of Newport Beach, CA, Randal (d. Gail) Young of Kettering, Karen (Thomas) VanderHeyden of Naples FL, Dianne (John) Lytle of Madeira.
Grandchildren: Peter (Brenda) Rice of Mill Valley CA, Bethany (Eric) Crease of Dayton OH, Laura (Ryan) Burns of Noblesville IN, Kristina (William) Weissman of Covington KY, Kara (Ziad) Rahmani of Fort Myers FL, Ryan VanderHeyden of Naples FL and James Lytle of Madeira.
Greatgrandchildren: Victoria Rice, Alexander & Serena Crease, Gabrielle Burns, Connor Weissman
A private gathering limited to immediate family will take place at St. Thomas Episcopal Church where he will be interred. A public celebration of his life will take place at a later time to be announced.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church at 100 Miami Ave., Terrace Park 45174; SPCA Cincinnati at 11900 Conrey Rd., 45249; or Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 3333 Burnet Ave., 45229.∼From The Cincinnati Business Courier:
James T. Aglamesis, the longtime owner of an icon of Cincinnati ice cream, died on Jan. 23. He was 93.
Aglamesis Bros.' Ice Cream & Candy in Oakley announced on Facebook Monday that Aglamesis, known to his customers as "Mr. A," died from pneumonia.
"To most all who worked here over the years he was more than an employer or boss," the company wrote. "He was a gentleman who cared deeply about his extended work family. We will all miss his smile, his laughter, and his kindness."
Aglamesis Bros. was founded by James Aglamesis' father, Thomas Aglamesis, a Greek immigrant who settled in Cincinnati in the early 1900s, who brought his brother Nicholas along with him a year later. The two brothers opened their first ice cream parlor, which has since closed, in Norwood in 1908.
The second parlor, which has served up homemade ice cream and candies to generations of Cincinnatians since 1913, was opened at 3046 Madison Road in Oakley. A third parlor was opened in Montgomery in 1970.
Nicholas Aglamesis died in the 1950s, and with Thomas' health declining, James Aglamesis took over the family business, which he oversaw for six decades, passing along oversight to the third and fourth generations of the Aglamesis family.
April 26, 1927 - January 23, 2021
U.S. Veteran
James Thomas Aglamesis, Oakley civic leader and one of the nation’s premiere confectioners died on Saturday, January 23rd at his home in Cincinnati. He was 93 years old.
Mr. Aglamesis lived to see the centennial of Aglamesis Brothers Ice Cream & Candy Co. which was started by his Greek immigrant father, Thomas, and uncle, Nicholas Aglamesis in Norwood, OH in 1908. By 1913, the brothers had expanded to their present location at 3046 Madison Road. At that time, Oakley was mostly farmland. The two brothers were said to have the fastest horse and buggy in town which was critical for delivering ice cream.
James T. Aglamesis, born on April 26, 1927 was the first of Thomas and Viola Mehas Aglamesis’ three children. By the age of fourteen, he was working as a soda jerk behind the store’s marble counters. The hard work ethic learned from his father and uncle was never forgotten.
After graduating from Withrow High School, James attended the University of Cincinnati where he received his Bachelors in Business Administration. He was active in the Sigma Chi fraternity. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army as a military instructor during the Korean War.
Following his discharge in 1952, he intended to enter the business world as he had offers from leading corporations. Fate and family set him on a different path. James’ father suffered a disabling stroke forcing him to abandon his corporate career goals and take over operation of Aglamesis Brothers to support his mother and younger siblings.
James was elected President of the Oakley Chamber of Commerce in 1957 and was re-elected for multiple terms. In addition to running Aglamesis Brothers, he became a licensed real estate broker and managed multi-use properties for nearly five decades with De Metro Realty Company of which he was president.
James was appointed membership chairman of the Eastern Hills Off-Street Parking Association, an organization to retain healthy neighborhood retail commerce in Oakley, Hyde Park, Pleasant Ridge and Madisonville. He received the Cincinnati Beautification Award in 1967 for his updated storefront of Aglamesis Brothers.
In 1964, James married Bette Jayne Clark Young having become reacquainted with his U.C. classmate at a private party on New Year’s Eve in 1962. Marriage brought instant fatherhood as Jayne already had two daughters, Pamela and Karen, and a son, Randal from a previous marriage.
James served on the boards of the University Club, the Travel Club and the Vestry of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Terrace Park where he ushered for decades. He enjoyed membership at many clubs in both Cincinnati and Naples, FL.
Dancing was a favorite past time. James organized and was president of both Jagades and Sans Souci social dance groups which gathered for nearly thirty years.
In his nearly seventy years in business, James upheld the importance of integrity and producing a high quality product. He loved his customers. Over the years, he developed countless friendships from regular visitors to Aglamesis Brothers. In his later years, he enjoyed time at the shop chatting with his patrons who were like family to him. It gave him great joy to hand out surprise treats to the children that visited. He was grateful for the loyal service of his employees- many who labored with him for decades.
James’ greatest joy was his cherished wife and family and the fun memories made with an active household. He loved his pets and became a true animal lover over the years, having many cats, dogs, horses and even a goat. He was devoted to the wildlife around his home including the birds, deer, wild turkeys, and even a stray peacock that appeared and nested in his yard.
James was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Mary and Peter Aglamesis.
He is survived by his wife Jayne, children Pamela (Bernie) Svalstad of Newport Beach, CA, Randal (d. Gail) Young of Kettering, Karen (Thomas) VanderHeyden of Naples FL, Dianne (John) Lytle of Madeira.
Grandchildren: Peter (Brenda) Rice of Mill Valley CA, Bethany (Eric) Crease of Dayton OH, Laura (Ryan) Burns of Noblesville IN, Kristina (William) Weissman of Covington KY, Kara (Ziad) Rahmani of Fort Myers FL, Ryan VanderHeyden of Naples FL and James Lytle of Madeira.
Greatgrandchildren: Victoria Rice, Alexander & Serena Crease, Gabrielle Burns, Connor Weissman
A private gathering limited to immediate family will take place at St. Thomas Episcopal Church where he will be interred. A public celebration of his life will take place at a later time to be announced.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church at 100 Miami Ave., Terrace Park 45174; SPCA Cincinnati at 11900 Conrey Rd., 45249; or Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 3333 Burnet Ave., 45229.∼From The Cincinnati Business Courier:
James T. Aglamesis, the longtime owner of an icon of Cincinnati ice cream, died on Jan. 23. He was 93.
Aglamesis Bros.' Ice Cream & Candy in Oakley announced on Facebook Monday that Aglamesis, known to his customers as "Mr. A," died from pneumonia.
"To most all who worked here over the years he was more than an employer or boss," the company wrote. "He was a gentleman who cared deeply about his extended work family. We will all miss his smile, his laughter, and his kindness."
Aglamesis Bros. was founded by James Aglamesis' father, Thomas Aglamesis, a Greek immigrant who settled in Cincinnati in the early 1900s, who brought his brother Nicholas along with him a year later. The two brothers opened their first ice cream parlor, which has since closed, in Norwood in 1908.
The second parlor, which has served up homemade ice cream and candies to generations of Cincinnatians since 1913, was opened at 3046 Madison Road in Oakley. A third parlor was opened in Montgomery in 1970.
Nicholas Aglamesis died in the 1950s, and with Thomas' health declining, James Aglamesis took over the family business, which he oversaw for six decades, passing along oversight to the third and fourth generations of the Aglamesis family.
James Thomas Aglamesis
April 26, 1927 - January 23, 2021
U.S. Veteran
James Thomas Aglamesis, Oakley civic leader and one of the nation’s premiere confectioners died on Saturday, January 23rd at his home in Cincinnati. He was 93 years old.
Mr. Aglamesis lived to see the centennial of Aglamesis Brothers Ice Cream & Candy Co. which was started by his Greek immigrant father, Thomas, and uncle, Nicholas Aglamesis in Norwood, OH in 1908. By 1913, the brothers had expanded to their present location at 3046 Madison Road. At that time, Oakley was mostly farmland. The two brothers were said to have the fastest horse and buggy in town which was critical for delivering ice cream.
James T. Aglamesis, born on April 26, 1927 was the first of Thomas and Viola Mehas Aglamesis’ three children. By the age of fourteen, he was working as a soda jerk behind the store’s marble counters. The hard work ethic learned from his father and uncle was never forgotten.
After graduating from Withrow High School, James attended the University of Cincinnati where he received his Bachelors in Business Administration. He was active in the Sigma Chi fraternity. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army as a military instructor during the Korean War.
Following his discharge in 1952, he intended to enter the business world as he had offers from leading corporations. Fate and family set him on a different path. James’ father suffered a disabling stroke forcing him to abandon his corporate career goals and take over operation of Aglamesis Brothers to support his mother and younger siblings.
James was elected President of the Oakley Chamber of Commerce in 1957 and was re-elected for multiple terms. In addition to running Aglamesis Brothers, he became a licensed real estate broker and managed multi-use properties for nearly five decades with De Metro Realty Company of which he was president.
James was appointed membership chairman of the Eastern Hills Off-Street Parking Association, an organization to retain healthy neighborhood retail commerce in Oakley, Hyde Park, Pleasant Ridge and Madisonville. He received the Cincinnati Beautification Award in 1967 for his updated storefront of Aglamesis Brothers.
In 1964, James married Bette Jayne Clark Young having become reacquainted with his U.C. classmate at a private party on New Year’s Eve in 1962. Marriage brought instant fatherhood as Jayne already had two daughters, Pamela and Karen, and a son, Randal from a previous marriage.
James served on the boards of the University Club, the Travel Club and the Vestry of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Terrace Park where he ushered for decades. He enjoyed membership at many clubs in both Cincinnati and Naples, FL.
Dancing was a favorite past time. James organized and was president of both Jagades and Sans Souci social dance groups which gathered for nearly thirty years.
In his nearly seventy years in business, James upheld the importance of integrity and producing a high quality product. He loved his customers. Over the years, he developed countless friendships from regular visitors to Aglamesis Brothers. In his later years, he enjoyed time at the shop chatting with his patrons who were like family to him. It gave him great joy to hand out surprise treats to the children that visited. He was grateful for the loyal service of his employees- many who labored with him for decades.
James’ greatest joy was his cherished wife and family and the fun memories made with an active household. He loved his pets and became a true animal lover over the years, having many cats, dogs, horses and even a goat. He was devoted to the wildlife around his home including the birds, deer, wild turkeys, and even a stray peacock that appeared and nested in his yard.
James was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Mary and Peter Aglamesis.
He is survived by his wife Jayne, children Pamela (Bernie) Svalstad of Newport Beach, CA, Randal (d. Gail) Young of Kettering, Karen (Thomas) VanderHeyden of Naples FL, Dianne (John) Lytle of Madeira.
Grandchildren: Peter (Brenda) Rice of Mill Valley CA, Bethany (Eric) Crease of Dayton OH, Laura (Ryan) Burns of Noblesville IN, Kristina (William) Weissman of Covington KY, Kara (Ziad) Rahmani of Fort Myers FL, Ryan VanderHeyden of Naples FL and James Lytle of Madeira.
Greatgrandchildren: Victoria Rice, Alexander & Serena Crease, Gabrielle Burns, Connor Weissman
A private gathering limited to immediate family will take place at St. Thomas Episcopal Church where he will be interred. A public celebration of his life will take place at a later time to be announced.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church at 100 Miami Ave., Terrace Park 45174; SPCA Cincinnati at 11900 Conrey Rd., 45249; or Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 3333 Burnet Ave., 45229.∼From The Cincinnati Business Courier:
James T. Aglamesis, the longtime owner of an icon of Cincinnati ice cream, died on Jan. 23. He was 93.
Aglamesis Bros.' Ice Cream & Candy in Oakley announced on Facebook Monday that Aglamesis, known to his customers as "Mr. A," died from pneumonia.
"To most all who worked here over the years he was more than an employer or boss," the company wrote. "He was a gentleman who cared deeply about his extended work family. We will all miss his smile, his laughter, and his kindness."
Aglamesis Bros. was founded by James Aglamesis' father, Thomas Aglamesis, a Greek immigrant who settled in Cincinnati in the early 1900s, who brought his brother Nicholas along with him a year later. The two brothers opened their first ice cream parlor, which has since closed, in Norwood in 1908.
The second parlor, which has served up homemade ice cream and candies to generations of Cincinnatians since 1913, was opened at 3046 Madison Road in Oakley. A third parlor was opened in Montgomery in 1970.
Nicholas Aglamesis died in the 1950s, and with Thomas' health declining, James Aglamesis took over the family business, which he oversaw for six decades, passing along oversight to the third and fourth generations of the Aglamesis family.
April 26, 1927 - January 23, 2021
U.S. Veteran
James Thomas Aglamesis, Oakley civic leader and one of the nation’s premiere confectioners died on Saturday, January 23rd at his home in Cincinnati. He was 93 years old.
Mr. Aglamesis lived to see the centennial of Aglamesis Brothers Ice Cream & Candy Co. which was started by his Greek immigrant father, Thomas, and uncle, Nicholas Aglamesis in Norwood, OH in 1908. By 1913, the brothers had expanded to their present location at 3046 Madison Road. At that time, Oakley was mostly farmland. The two brothers were said to have the fastest horse and buggy in town which was critical for delivering ice cream.
James T. Aglamesis, born on April 26, 1927 was the first of Thomas and Viola Mehas Aglamesis’ three children. By the age of fourteen, he was working as a soda jerk behind the store’s marble counters. The hard work ethic learned from his father and uncle was never forgotten.
After graduating from Withrow High School, James attended the University of Cincinnati where he received his Bachelors in Business Administration. He was active in the Sigma Chi fraternity. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army as a military instructor during the Korean War.
Following his discharge in 1952, he intended to enter the business world as he had offers from leading corporations. Fate and family set him on a different path. James’ father suffered a disabling stroke forcing him to abandon his corporate career goals and take over operation of Aglamesis Brothers to support his mother and younger siblings.
James was elected President of the Oakley Chamber of Commerce in 1957 and was re-elected for multiple terms. In addition to running Aglamesis Brothers, he became a licensed real estate broker and managed multi-use properties for nearly five decades with De Metro Realty Company of which he was president.
James was appointed membership chairman of the Eastern Hills Off-Street Parking Association, an organization to retain healthy neighborhood retail commerce in Oakley, Hyde Park, Pleasant Ridge and Madisonville. He received the Cincinnati Beautification Award in 1967 for his updated storefront of Aglamesis Brothers.
In 1964, James married Bette Jayne Clark Young having become reacquainted with his U.C. classmate at a private party on New Year’s Eve in 1962. Marriage brought instant fatherhood as Jayne already had two daughters, Pamela and Karen, and a son, Randal from a previous marriage.
James served on the boards of the University Club, the Travel Club and the Vestry of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Terrace Park where he ushered for decades. He enjoyed membership at many clubs in both Cincinnati and Naples, FL.
Dancing was a favorite past time. James organized and was president of both Jagades and Sans Souci social dance groups which gathered for nearly thirty years.
In his nearly seventy years in business, James upheld the importance of integrity and producing a high quality product. He loved his customers. Over the years, he developed countless friendships from regular visitors to Aglamesis Brothers. In his later years, he enjoyed time at the shop chatting with his patrons who were like family to him. It gave him great joy to hand out surprise treats to the children that visited. He was grateful for the loyal service of his employees- many who labored with him for decades.
James’ greatest joy was his cherished wife and family and the fun memories made with an active household. He loved his pets and became a true animal lover over the years, having many cats, dogs, horses and even a goat. He was devoted to the wildlife around his home including the birds, deer, wild turkeys, and even a stray peacock that appeared and nested in his yard.
James was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Mary and Peter Aglamesis.
He is survived by his wife Jayne, children Pamela (Bernie) Svalstad of Newport Beach, CA, Randal (d. Gail) Young of Kettering, Karen (Thomas) VanderHeyden of Naples FL, Dianne (John) Lytle of Madeira.
Grandchildren: Peter (Brenda) Rice of Mill Valley CA, Bethany (Eric) Crease of Dayton OH, Laura (Ryan) Burns of Noblesville IN, Kristina (William) Weissman of Covington KY, Kara (Ziad) Rahmani of Fort Myers FL, Ryan VanderHeyden of Naples FL and James Lytle of Madeira.
Greatgrandchildren: Victoria Rice, Alexander & Serena Crease, Gabrielle Burns, Connor Weissman
A private gathering limited to immediate family will take place at St. Thomas Episcopal Church where he will be interred. A public celebration of his life will take place at a later time to be announced.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church at 100 Miami Ave., Terrace Park 45174; SPCA Cincinnati at 11900 Conrey Rd., 45249; or Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 3333 Burnet Ave., 45229.∼From The Cincinnati Business Courier:
James T. Aglamesis, the longtime owner of an icon of Cincinnati ice cream, died on Jan. 23. He was 93.
Aglamesis Bros.' Ice Cream & Candy in Oakley announced on Facebook Monday that Aglamesis, known to his customers as "Mr. A," died from pneumonia.
"To most all who worked here over the years he was more than an employer or boss," the company wrote. "He was a gentleman who cared deeply about his extended work family. We will all miss his smile, his laughter, and his kindness."
Aglamesis Bros. was founded by James Aglamesis' father, Thomas Aglamesis, a Greek immigrant who settled in Cincinnati in the early 1900s, who brought his brother Nicholas along with him a year later. The two brothers opened their first ice cream parlor, which has since closed, in Norwood in 1908.
The second parlor, which has served up homemade ice cream and candies to generations of Cincinnatians since 1913, was opened at 3046 Madison Road in Oakley. A third parlor was opened in Montgomery in 1970.
Nicholas Aglamesis died in the 1950s, and with Thomas' health declining, James Aglamesis took over the family business, which he oversaw for six decades, passing along oversight to the third and fourth generations of the Aglamesis family.
