James D. Molinaro, 89, of South Whitehall, died March 8, 2014.

He was the companion of Jean (Getz) Hebel. His first wife Minnie M. (Jiminaro) Molinaro died in 1988.

Born in Hazelton, he was the son of the late Frank and Rose (Molinaro) Molinaro.

President of Molinaro and Sons Inc. before retiring in 1991, he was past president of the Lehigh Valley Home Builders and Pa. State Builders Association and organized the first Lehigh Valley Home Builder Show.

Chairman of South Whitehall Building Code Committee, he served on the Board of Governors of Allentown and Lehigh County Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Allentown Mayor's Economic Advisory Committee, Human Relations Committee and the Allentown Historic Committee.

He served as a board member on the Kurtz Training Center for handicapped children.

A member of St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Orefield, he was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus Counsel 528.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II .

In addition to his companion, Jean, he is survived by sisters Marion Howell and Rose Yates, both of Bethlehem; stepsons George Hebel and wife, Lucy, and Robert and Thomas Hebel; stepdaughter Judy Hebel; grandchildren Dominic and Kris Sabol, Courtney, James III and Katie Molinaro; step-grandchildren Richard, Geoffrey, Brian, Alyssa and Robbie Hebel; great-grandchild Brook Sabol; nephew Mark Howell; nieces and nephews.

Contributions may be made to the church memorial fund.

Arrangements made by Trexler Funeral Home, Allentown.