James J. Buffum

As an eternal optimist, Jim’s glass was always overflowing. He was an amazing husband, father, grandpa/papa, and friend. He was the best beach buddy, golf partner, grill master, and known for his very green, always freshly cut lawn. He had nicknames for everyone he met and was the life of the party. (He had even been known to dance on a bar or two.)

When not cheering on his grandkids at one of their sporting events, you could likely find him at Toms River Country Club. He was a member of the Ocean County YMCA Board of Trustees as well as the Garden State Philharmonic Board of Directors. Giving back to the community was always a priority - where he acted as role model and mentor to many.

Jim taught us a lot during his life. Excuses are for losers, you can do anything for a year, only you can control your feelings, always try your hardest, and if it’s not fun, what’s the point? Keep a sweet treat in your glove box, and that Diet Coke is basically its own food group. (Although in his most recent days, lemonade). Most of all, he taught us to be positive, even in the toughest of times. If Jim could be described in one word, it’s “happy” — and he too made us so very happy!

After 49 years of marriage to his college sweetheart, they always held hands, they always sat on the couch next to each other, and if you asked him his best friend, he would say Kath, without missing a beat. He was the epitome of the term “girl dad” - he’d do anything for his Buffum girls and their families - just as they’d do anything for him. He was the man that they judged all other men against.. how unfortunate tor them! He loved his son-in-laws as if they were his own and his four grandchildren were his everything. As an only child, he was so fortunate to have loving sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws. He also had many “brothers from another mother” and he truly treated them as such.

Heaven certainly gained one of the good guys this week.

A memorial mass to celebrate Jim’s life is scheduled for Thursday, December 30, at 10:00 am at St. Joseph’s Church, 685 Hooper Avenue, Toms River.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.

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