James L. Tessman
1946 - 2014
James L. Tessman, 68, of Berlin, passed away Friday (December 12, 2014) at St. Mary Hospital in Waterbury. Born in New Britain, son of Jean (Szymanski) Tessman of Berlin and the late Alfred A. Tessman, Jim was a graduate of Cromwell High School class of 1964 and had been a Berlin resident since 1973. He was employed at the former Deephouse Equipment, the former Eastern Equipment, Dwight Foote Company and later worked as a bookkeeper at St. Vincent's Church in Naugatuck.
Jim served his country proudly in the US Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict. He was a member of St. Paul Church in Kensington and was a former Eucharistic minister of the church. James was a life member and Past Commander of the Bolton-Kasica- Patterson American Legion Post 68 in Berlin. He was also affiliated with St. Vincent's Church in Naugatuck.
Besides his mother Jean, a Gold Star Mother, for losing her son Richard during the Vietnam Conflict, Jim is survived by a sister, Diane Zanelli and her husband David of Newington; an aunt, Bernice Brousseau and her husband Norman of North Ft. Myers, FL; a nephew, Albert Tessman Jr. and his wife Christine of Berlin; a niece, Tara Tessman of Newington; a grandniece, Allie Tessman; several cousins; as well as his partner of 7 years, James Mills of West Haven. Jim was predeceased by two brothers, Richard C. Tessman who died during the Vietnam Conflict serving in the US Navy and Albert A. Tessman Sr.
Funeral services are Wednesday 9 AM at Carlson Funeral Home, 45 Franklin Square, New Britain, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM at St. Paul Church, Alling Street, Kensington. Burial with military honors will be in Fairview Cemetery. Calling hours are Tuesday 5 to 8 PM at Carlson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675. Please share a memory or note of sympathy at www.carlsonfuneralhome.com
The Hartford Courant - December 15, 2014