He was born in Altoona, son of the late Angelo J. and Alvera (Caputo) Mascitelli.

Surviving are his mother; a brother, Joseph and wife, Mary, of Altoona; two nephews: Dave and Jeff; and a niece, Amanda.

He was a 1967 graduate of Altoona Area High School and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Penn State University, a masters degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Fine Arts from Penn State. He was an art instructor at Mount Aloysius College and Penn State University at DuBois and University Park, as well as a guest instructor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Jim received many art awards and recognition from his national and international exhibits, including Awards of Excellence from Art Horizons International Competition and the International Art Competition, New York. He was nominated in 2004 for International Visual Artist of the Year. His art was exhibited in the Viridian Artists Gallery, New York City, as well as galleries in Chicago, Pittsburgh and Washington. Locally, his art was exhibited at Mount Aloysius College, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art and The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State University. Jim received many Distinguished Jurors awards for his artistic talent over the years. He also enjoyed music, hunting and fishing.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 11, 2016, at Santella Funeral Home, where a vigil for the deceased will be held. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2016, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Committal will be at Calvary Cemetery.