Obituary of James S. Mandel

James S. "Sailor" Mandel, age 84 of Ransomville, died Saturday January 8, 2011 in Mt. St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston. Jim was born March 27, 1926 in Buffalo, NY, the son of the late James L. and Frances (Storrs) Mandel and has lived in Ransomville the past 40 years. He was veteran of WW II and the Korean War. He entered the U.S. Army in June of 1944 and served in the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns and took part in the Battle of the Bulge. Jim was the recipient of the Army of Occupation Medal-Germany, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the American Service Medal. He was honorably discharged in June of 1946 and in May of 1948 enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed at the US Naval Air Base in Bramerhaven, Germany and received the Navy Occupation Service Medal - Europe. He was honorably discharged in February of 1951. He also served in the U.S. Merchant Marines. In the early 1960's Jim worked as an X-Ray Technician at the Erie County Medical Center. He then joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and retired from there after 30 years of service. Jim married Eleanor (Bonaparte) Mandel on August 6, 1960. He was a member of the American Legion O. Leo Curtiss Post # 830 in Ransomville, the V.F.W. Lavere-Harrington Post in Oswego, NY, and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter #2. Jim enjoyed boating and being on the water, and was an avid football fan. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor; four daughters, Judy Mandel of Cheektowaga, Frances (Rodney) Kruzicke, Patricia (Dale) Zastrow, and Alicia (Wade) Rick all of Wilson; three sisters, Mary Ellen Ault of Newfane, Sue (Robert) Boyer of Olcott, and Betty Hallstein; many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister, Frances "Babe" Allison. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, 3648 Ransomville Road, Ransomville on Tuesday from 4 - 8 pm. Funeral Services with Military Honors will be held Wednesday, January 12, at 11:00 AM in the funeral home, with the Rev. Ron Haefer officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Legion O. Leo Curtiss Post # 830, P.O. Box 98, Ransomville, NY 14131.