Obituary of James Michael Slahta

James Michael Slahta, age 77, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville. He was born in New York City, grew up in Linden, NJ where he lived until he moved to Piscataway. He lived there for 15 years before moving and residing in Bridgewater for the past 33 years. James graduated from Linden High School in 1955 and Upsala College, East Orange in 1959, with a B.B.A. Business Administration and minor in Economics. After completing ROTC, he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant, and honorably served on active duty in the United States Air Force with subsequent reserve time as a Captain. He worked in management, as a senior level Product Specialist for Atlas Supply Company in Springfield for thirty- five years, then in Atlanta, GA, at BP Amoco for seven years adding legal supervision and consulting to his resume. Before his retirement, his career continued for another five years working for Quadrant HealthCom Inc., as an Account Representative. He was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville for 33 years. James loved fishing, gardening, traveling, and following the NY Yankees and especially the NY Giants. Surviving are his beloved wife and high school sweetheart of 52 years, Frances; his son, Alex and his daughter, Joanne. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. at Higgins Home For Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, followed by a 10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass at The Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Martinsville. Entombment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Piscataway. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Hubert Animal Shelter, 3201 Route 22 East, P.O. Box 5281, North Branch, NJ 08876 (908) 526-3330 or www.sthuberts.org/donate.