Obituary of James E. Lindstrom

James Emil Lindstrom, 102, passed away Sunday morning, August 17th, at Cambridge Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center in Fairfield, Connecticut from complications due to a stroke. He was a long time resident of Stratford and Trumbull. Jim was born on June 3, 1912 in Darien Center, New York. He grew up in the Cheektowaga/Buffalo area and graduated from State Teachers College at Buffalo (now Buffalo State University-SUNY) in 1939. He moved to Connecticut and took a position teaching Industrial Arts in Bridgeport. He later became Supervisor of Industrial Arts for the city's school system serving in that capacity until his retirement. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his constant and dearest friend and companion, Constance Dimock of Trumbull, his caring and unfailing neighbor, Brian Rapillo, many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, including Hugh (Jeredith) Lindstrom from East Aurora, New York and Peggy Lindstrom in Castle Haven, North Carolina. He is also survived by Constance's family that has been honored to be part of his life for over fifty years. He is predeceased by his parents, Gustav and Gerda Lindstrom, his brothers and sisters, Sven, Verner, Edith, Esther and Gunner, his sons, Donald and James and his beloved aunt, Maya. Jim was a beacon of light that shone brightly on the hearts and minds of all those he touched. He valued education as a great privilege and considered learning a continuous process throughout life's journey. He was a wonderful, consummate story teller, appreciated the Arts and was a voracious reader. Books, music, milk chocolate and the New York Times were his daily friends. He loved and was awed by the magnificence of nature and took great joy in the simple things of life. He was gardening and feeding his birds until the day of his stroke in late June. He lived long and he lived well. He will be greatly missed. The family would like to thank the staff at Cambridge for the dedicated and compassionate care they provided. Memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2014 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT. Funeral services will take place at Hope Lutheran Church, 62 Dog Lane, Storrs, CT on Saturday, September 20th at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Storrs Cemetery.