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James Charles Oscarson, husband of Cecily Mader, of Madison, was born on Nov. 17, 1925, and died of a heart attack in Middlesex Hospital in Middletown on March 19, 2017.

Living most of his life along the shoreline in Connecticut, Jim’s lifelong love of the Detroit Tigers was borne of his early childhood in Michigan. Born as Oscar, his nickname as a young man somehow became “Slim Jim,” and he adopted the name Jim.

Jim was a wonderful husband and grandfather, a lover of all things feline (and felines loved him), an avid reader of history, a handyman, and World War II Marine Corps veteran who earned two Purple Hearts in combat operations in the Pacific Theater.

Jim’s adult life began before he was legally an adult; the Marine Corps required that Jim get parental permission when he volunteered to join the Corps in 1943. Jim was a rifleman in the 29th Marine Infantry Regiment. Private First Class Oscarson participated in some of the most legendary Marine Corps battles of Tinian, Saipan, Tarawa, and Okinawa. Like most combat veterans, his wartime combat experiences were rarely discussed. However, these experiences likely influenced the extremely calm and peaceful demeanor that defined his long life. After combat in the Pacific Theater, he was promoted to corporal, and instead of being sent home after more than two years of combat, Jim was sent to Tsingtao, China, to help repatriate surrendering Japanese soldiers. Perhaps Jim learned his love for quality beer at the former German brewery in Tsingtao. “China Marine” was a title that all Marines earned during their stay in China. The Purple Hearts Jim earned were from wounds received from a bullet in the abdomen during the Mariana’s Campaign on the island of Saipan, and a bullet that grazed his head during the battle of Sugar Loaf Hill in Okinawa. Jim made lifelong friends from his time in the Marine Corps.

Returning to the United States, Jim had a long career at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals (originally Pfizer Chemicals) in New London, retiring in the ’80’s as a foreman and manager on the manufacturing floor. He enjoyed participating in the Pfizer Drama Club. Continuing his dedication to duty, Jim missed only one day of work (a snow day) in more than 35 years of service to Pfizer.

Jim was born to Mr. and Mrs Oscar Oscarson (Edna Janson) in Allegan, Michigan, and was predeceased by his brother Edward (Teresa Demarco) Oscarson, Paul (Janice) Oscarson, first wife Mildred, his son Stephen, and stepson Gregory Becker. He is survived by his loving wife Cecily; his brother William Oscarson (Dale); sisters-in-law Teresa Oscarson of Waterford, and Madeleine Chisholm of West Vancouver, B.C., Canada; his stepchildren Mark Becker (Nicole) of Danville, California, John Becker (Monique) of Tournefeuille, France, and Katy Becker Giarratana (Mark) of Glastonbury; his children from his first marriage, Jack Oscarson (North Carolina), Sharon Barger (Ohio), and Lynne Sabin (Wayne) of New Jersey; and 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Jim made a lot of friends and acquaintances during 20 plus years of his early morning daily walks between Island Avenue and Pent Road in Madison. Jim was a parishioner at the Church of the Holy Advent in Clinton.

A memorial service with full military honors will take place on June 24 at 11 a.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Advent, 81 E. Main St., Clinton. If desired, donations may be made to Forgotten Felines, P.O. Box 734, Clinton, CT 06413, or The Episcopal Church of the Holy Advent, 81 E. Main St., Clinton, CT 06413.