Obituary for James Alan MacStravic Sr.
James Alan MacStravic, age 80, of Willingboro, NJ passed away while surrounded by loving family on Friday, January 18, 2019.
“Jim” MacStravic was born in Boston, MA and raised in Arlington, MA. After graduating from MIT in 1961 , Jim joined the US Army Signal Corps in Georgia for his compulsory military duty. When the Berlin Wall was erected, he became “frozen in service” and moved with his family to Germany for three years. Jim spent a year in Ft. Meade, Maryland, before moving his family to Willingboro, NJ so that he could complete his masters degree in engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. The family remained in Willingboro for the next 50+ years.
Jim spent a year serving his country in Vietnam after which he commuted to Ft. Monmouth until a stint at the Armed Forces Staff College, a six week course at Language School and a full year’s unaccompanied tour to Saudi Arabia. His remaining years in service were at TRITAC in Red Bank, NJ, never ever moving his family from Willingboro. Jim retired from the Army after 20 years of service. He went to work for RCA in Camden, staying through five corporate mergers in his 35 years there, always keeping the same phone number.
Jim was definitely a family man. He was a Webelos Scout leader for all three sons over a 15- year span, a Girl Scout Cadette leader for his daughters, and helped out at many a camp out. He was also a referee for the South Jersey Soccer League, and even performed as “Mother Ginger” in a local production of “The Nutcracker.”
Jim loved the Corpus Christi Choir. He was a member for more than forty years and sang with the choir up until his death. He served his church as a cantor for many years and was the “Wednesday Lector” at daily Mass for the last eight. Jim also served in the parish Cohort and was a member of the Parish Council. He was especially proud to be a member of the 6:00 AM Saturday men’s group “That Man is You.”
Jim was a gentle man with a terrific sense of humor. As one dear friend said, “He was unique.” We will all miss him greatly.
Jim is survived by his beloved spouse, Elin MacStravic (nee Evans); children, Jimmy MacStravic Jr. (Erin), Irene MacStravic, Barbara Burgett (Kit), Elin Wicks, Larry MacStravic (Jennifer), Marci Morgan (Patrick), Matt MacStravic (Elaine); brothers, Scott MacStravic (Sue), Brian MacStravic (Liz); 15 grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 26th from 9:30AM to 11:00 AM immediately followed by Mass of the Christian Burial, both at Corpus Christi Church, 11 S Sunset Road, Willingboro, NJ 08046. Interment will be Monday, January 28th at 11:30 AM at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown, PA 18940. Memorial donations can be made to Corpus Christi St. Vincent de Paul Society.
“Jim” MacStravic was born in Boston, MA and raised in Arlington, MA. After graduating from MIT in 1961 , Jim joined the US Army Signal Corps in Georgia for his compulsory military duty. When the Berlin Wall was erected, he became “frozen in service” and moved with his family to Germany for three years. Jim spent a year in Ft. Meade, Maryland, before moving his family to Willingboro, NJ so that he could complete his masters degree in engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. The family remained in Willingboro for the next 50+ years.
Jim spent a year serving his country in Vietnam after which he commuted to Ft. Monmouth until a stint at the Armed Forces Staff College, a six week course at Language School and a full year’s unaccompanied tour to Saudi Arabia. His remaining years in service were at TRITAC in Red Bank, NJ, never ever moving his family from Willingboro. Jim retired from the Army after 20 years of service. He went to work for RCA in Camden, staying through five corporate mergers in his 35 years there, always keeping the same phone number.
Jim was definitely a family man. He was a Webelos Scout leader for all three sons over a 15- year span, a Girl Scout Cadette leader for his daughters, and helped out at many a camp out. He was also a referee for the South Jersey Soccer League, and even performed as “Mother Ginger” in a local production of “The Nutcracker.”
Jim loved the Corpus Christi Choir. He was a member for more than forty years and sang with the choir up until his death. He served his church as a cantor for many years and was the “Wednesday Lector” at daily Mass for the last eight. Jim also served in the parish Cohort and was a member of the Parish Council. He was especially proud to be a member of the 6:00 AM Saturday men’s group “That Man is You.”
Jim was a gentle man with a terrific sense of humor. As one dear friend said, “He was unique.” We will all miss him greatly.
Jim is survived by his beloved spouse, Elin MacStravic (nee Evans); children, Jimmy MacStravic Jr. (Erin), Irene MacStravic, Barbara Burgett (Kit), Elin Wicks, Larry MacStravic (Jennifer), Marci Morgan (Patrick), Matt MacStravic (Elaine); brothers, Scott MacStravic (Sue), Brian MacStravic (Liz); 15 grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 26th from 9:30AM to 11:00 AM immediately followed by Mass of the Christian Burial, both at Corpus Christi Church, 11 S Sunset Road, Willingboro, NJ 08046. Interment will be Monday, January 28th at 11:30 AM at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown, PA 18940. Memorial donations can be made to Corpus Christi St. Vincent de Paul Society.