James R. Amole

James R. Amole, 62, of West Reading, died September 4, 2010 in the Reading Hospital.

Born in Reading, he was the son of the late Luther (Red) and Antoinette (Toni), nee Palumbo, Amole.

Jim was a quadriplegic since injured in a motorcycle accident in 1970. In 1984, he was presented the Handicapped Awareness Award from Threshold Rehabilitation Services for his volunteer efforts. He was one of the founders of Helping Wheels Unincorporated, an organization offering support and involvement for wheelchair-bound people. He served as corporate secretary and board member for the group. He was a volunteer counselor at Reading Rehabilitation Hospital. He also had served as a liaison for the Reading Community Partnership Committee of the National Organization on Disabilities. For a number of years, Jim served as Executive Director of the Berks County Center for Independent Living. In 1993, he received the top honor of being named Pennsylvanian of the Year at the 40th annual conference of the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.

Jim was a member of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, West Reading.

He is survived by his daughter, Lori Ann Amole and granddaughter, Laken Alicia Amole, both of Lebanon, PA; his sister, Veronica, wife of James Schreiber, Scottsdale, AZ; his niece Julie Schreiber and her infant son, Aidan Neff Schreiber of Costa Mesa, CA and his nephew Scott Schreiber of Scottsdale, AZ. There are four aunts, Anne Wentzel and Patricia Mendel, both of Palm Coast, FL; Jean Villari of Audubon, NJ and Lori Tarnoski of Wyomissing Park. He was predeceased by his aunt Dorothy Reves. Eight cousins will miss Jim, none more than his cousin and best friend, Paul Wentzel of Reading.

A Mass of Christian Burial and burial in Gethsemane Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Sacred Heart Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 6217, Wyomissing, PA 19610. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.