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JAMES J. CORDANO SR., 98, CALIFORNIA DEVELOPER

James J. Cordano Sr., a pioneer in the California shopping center industry, died Feb. 24 at his Carmel, Calif., home. He was 98. Cordano, an ICSC member since 1966, got his start in real estate during the 1930s leasing chain stores in the Sacramento area. There he founded a development firm, the James J. Cordano Co. (now Cordano Co.). The firm opened Country Club Centre in 1952, recognized as Sacramento’s first regional center and one of the first in the state. Country Club Centre still stands, though Cordano Co. no longer owns it. In 1967 Cordano built Florin Mall, the area’s first enclosed, air-conditioned center, also in Sacramento. Cordano Co. still owns that property. In addition, he developed Southgate Shopping Center and Sunrise Mall both in Sacramento. A baseball enthusiast, Cordano managed minor league teams in the area.

“He’s probably leasing space up there behind those pearly gates,” said Jo Anne M. Bernhard, Cordano’s lawyer. He is survived by his wife, June, three children and five grandchildren. Cordano’s son, James Jr., now heads Cordano Co. His three grandsons also work there.