WESTFIELD – James Alderson, 74, of Westfield was called home Wednesday, August 15, 2012. Born in Newcastle, England, on June 2nd 1938, he was son of the late Thomas Alderson and Mary Anne McKenna.
James was educated in England, and had seven brothers and sisters. James spent six years in the British Armed Forces and traveled world wide with the third parachute regiment before coming to the United States in 1966. He was employed by Berkshire Tool in Westfield, and then was employed as machinist for Advance Manufacturing in Westfield for 30 years. He was a long-time communicant of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Westfield where he taught CCD, and was a lector for more than 30 years. He was accepted into the Deaconate Program of the Springfield Diocese where he studied at Our Lady of the Elms Collge in Chicopee. He also served for more than 30 years at the Westfield and Springfield Soup Kitchens.
James is survived by his wife, Iris of 49 years; son, Mark Alderson and daughter, Bernadette Parker. He has five grandchildren, Julian, Benjamin, Brian, Brendan, Alisha, and step grandson Stephen. He also has a great grandson and great granddaughter. He is also survived by a brother, Thomas in New Jersey; two sisters, Margaret and Bernadine in England, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Heather Anne and will be forever remembered as a devoted father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Visiting hours for James will be on Sunday 19, 2012 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Legacy Funeral Home, Princeton Street, Westfield, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial on Monday 20th at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Holyoke Road, Westfield. Burial will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery in Westfield.
