James Galbraith's Obituary
James M. Galbraith, age 87, of Lorain, passed away on Friday, September 2, 2011 at Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky.
Born March 25, 1924 in Scottdale, Pennsylvania, he moved to Lorain with his parents in 1936 at the age of 12. He graduated from Lorain High School.
James served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942 – 1950. During World War II he was a combat foot soldier with the Third Marine Infantry Division, participating in four major battles. He was wounded on Iwo Jima and returned to the United States. After the war ended, he re-enlisted and was assigned to the First Marine Infantry Regiment, First Marine Division in North China, where he remained for two years during the Chinese Civil War. He was honored with two Purple Hearts.
James served 12 ½ years as an Ohio State Trooper, attaining the rank of Corporal. He also worked as a security officer with US Steel/Lorain Works, retiring in August, 1986. As the same time he worked for US Steel, he was also employed as a Deputy Sheriff for Vernon M. Smith, Sheriff of Lorain County. He worked for the Sheriff Department for 11 years, leaving in 1977 to work 6 more years for the Sheffield Village Police Department. He retired from the police profession in May, 1983.
He was a member of Ss. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church.
He was a lifetime member of the Third Marine Division Association, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a retired member of Lorain County Lodge #54 Fraternal Order of the Police, the American Legion Post #118, Amherst, and the Public Employees Retirees.
James is survived by his wife of 54 years, Catherine (nee Prusky); 2 sons, James T. (Linda) Glover, of Powell, OH and John Galbraith, of Cleveland Heights and a granddaughter, Kathy Glover (Mark) Bonnett, of Virginia.
He was preceded in death by his father, Vamoric H., his mother, Edna K. and his brother, Robert.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 6th from 4-7 p.m. in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Rd., Amherst, where a Parastas service will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Friends may also call Wednesday morning at Ss. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church, 2238 East 32nd St., Lorain, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 10:45 a.m. Very Rev. Fr. Basil Stoyka, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery with full military honors being conducted.
Family and friends may leave online condolences at www.dovinreberjones.com.
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?