“Don’t cry for me, my life turned out better than I thought. Thanks be to God.”
?James Sorensen, age 76, from Mystic, CT passed away on December 18th at home surrounded by his loving family after losing a four year battle with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma in additional to Parkinson’s disease.
James is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Sorensen; his children Michael Sorensen, Christine Lockwood and her husband Michael; his grandchildren Brian and Chloe Lockwood; his sisters Janice Zimnock, Judy Miselis and Jacqueline Sorensen, and many nieces and nephews and dear friends. He was predeceased by his parents Gordon and Olinda Sorensen; his son William Giesler Jr and grand daughter Faith Lockwood.
Jim grew up in Windsor Locks, CT. He graduated from Central Connecticut State College with a Master's degree. He was proud of his tour of duty with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He retired from the CT Department of Mental Health as a Mental Health Director. He was honored by his 2001 appointment by the Governor, to the position of Co-Director of the CT Office of Family Support. In that position he shaped Connecticut’s overall response to the September 11th tragedy. He provided on site counseling, education and advocacy to families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 attack. Furthermore he helped establish the 9/11 Living Memorial at Sherwood Island State Park, where in the past 20 years he assisted in organizing inter-faith services of remembrance.
Together with his wife and best friend of 42 years, Jim enjoyed traveling to visit family in Germany. They also took pleasure in visiting National Parks throughout the United States.
He was an active member of the Ledyard Congregational Church where he taught Sunday school and served as a youth advisor and deacon for more than 25 years. Jim was instrumental in establishing the Ledyard Food Pantry where neighbors in need could receive food in a respectful environment. Eager to nurture his faith, Jim frequently attended services during the week at St. Patrick’s Church and St. Edmund’s Retreat in Mystic, where he did volunteer work on the grounds.
Jim served as president of the local affiliate of the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI). Over the past 12 years he organized the “Breaking the Silence About Mental Illness” essay contest at Ledyard High School.
Jim encouraged his grandchildren to pursue lofty goals and was fond of saying “you’ve got to have a dream for a dream to come true.”
Jim had a very loving relationship with his son Michael. They shared many things together including “playing catch” and working on Great Gull Island.
The family would like to thank Dr. Isufi and team at the Smilow Cancer center, Dr. Bortan and Christopher Hillary, PA at the Movement Disorder Clinic of HHC, Mystic, CT as well as the Visiting Angels Living Assistance Service.
A memorial service will be held at Ledyard Congregational Church on Saturday, January 3rd at 11:00. Internment of his ashes will be at Elmgrove Cemetery where he and his best friend Barbara enjoyed their frequent walks in the beauty of God’s creation.
If you feel inclined, an act of kindness may be made in his memory.