James B. Gustafson, 75, of West Hartford, passed away on Monday, November 19, 2012, from lung cancer. Born August 27, 1937 in Hartford, CT, son of the late Mae and Bertil Gustafson, he grew up in Charter Oak Terrace and attended Hartford Public High School where he was a 1955 All-State Running Back. Jim proudly served his country for four years in the U.S. Navy. He joined the West Hartford Police Department in 1960, and rose to the rank of Captain, retiring in 2002 after 42 years on the job. He married Mary Griffin on June 11, 1960, and together they raised their six children in West Hartford. He coached in the town’s football and baseball leagues for many years. He graduated from the University of New Haven. He was a devout Catholic and always put his fate in God’s hands. He was completely devoted to his family and loved them all unconditionally. Jim is survived by his wife Mary and six children and spouses, and sixteen grandchildren: Michael Gustafson and Margaret Murphy, Patrick and Liz Gustafson, Theresa and Ron Martucci, Christine and William Corrigan, Julie and John Sampson and Peter and Kathy Gustafson. His sixteen grandchildren are: Emmet, Carolina, Reid, James, Patrick, Jack, Rachel and Neil Gustafson, Matthew, Maureen, Mallory Martucci, Kelsey, Carrie, Colleen Corrigan, Troy and Sheila Sampson. He also leaves a brother, Thomas Gustafson, sister, Phyllis Duffin, and a special cousin, Bill Davis. Calling hours will be Friday, November 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 24 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Helena’s Church, Echo Lane, West Hartford. Everyone is asked to go directly to the church. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Memorial contributions can be made in Jim’s memory to Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center, 80 Seymour St., P.O. Box 5037, Hartford, CT 06102-5037.

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