Endicott Restauranteur Jim McCoy Dies at 78

Broome County business man Jim McCoy, who operated several restaurants in the region over a period of six decades has died. He was 78.

According to a funeral home obituary, McCoy died on Tuesday.

The restauranteur closed his newest establishment - McCoy's Chophouse in the Union District of Endicott - just over two months ago.

McCoy's Chophouse restaurant in Endicott on November 15, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

McCoy announced his plans to leave the business he loved in a letter to patrons in April. He said he "made the difficult decision" to close the West Main Street restaurant due to health reasons."

He wrote that it's "finally time to slow down and enjoy life with my friends and family."

McCoy started working for The Villa and Fountains restaurants in 1967 when they were owned by Guido Iacovelli.

His first big move in the restaurant business came in 1978 when he acquired Number 5 in Binghamton two years after it opened in a closed firehouse on South Washington Street.

FLASHBACK: Number 5 restaurant in Binghamton in March 2020. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

In 2004, McCoy acquired Orlando's restaurant at the site of his current Chophouse in Endicott. He turned the place into Lampy's Mediterranean Grill.

Number 5 and Lampy's closed in May 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Lampy's space was renovated and opened as McCoy's Chophouse in September 2020.

As he prepared for retirement, McCoy placed the Chophouse on the market in 2024 but the business was not sold.

McCoy's family will welcome friends and loved ones at Leon Pucedo Funeral Home on July 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. A private burial service is planned for the following day.