Stratton, James Michael, of Osterville, Massachusetts, son of Arthur and Nancy Stratton died in a diving accident November 27, 2013 off the island of St. Eustatius in the Eastern Caribbean. Twenty-two year old James was born in New London, Connecticut on February 15,1991. At age four, he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. James endured over a year of chemotherapy and radiation during which he demonstrated the resiliency and determination that would go on to define his life. He persevered to accomplish far more than just survive.
The family moved to Weston, Massachusetts in 1996 where he attended and graduated from Weston High School. While there, James cherished the opportunity to be a part of the varsity football and track teams, and received the “Cold Steel Award” given to the toughest, most dependable member of the football team. The Massachusetts Football Coaches Association also recognized James as one of most courageous football players for the 2008 season.
After graduating in 2009 from Weston High, James attended Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. During his time at Lynn, he forged many friendships and took advantage of numerous opportunities to study abroad. He traveled to South Africa as a freshman and then spent his entire junior year abroad. In the Fall semester, James set out on a voyage around the world on a large school ship absorbing many cultures along the way. For the second half of that year, James studied at the American University of Dublin, Ireland so that he could explore his Irish Heritage. James developed a passion for the ocean at an early age while spending summers fishing and boating on Nantucket and Cape Cod with his family. He became an accomplished fisherman at early age, winning many fishing tournaments and qualifying for the Junior Angler World Championship. James continued to win tournaments as adult and was scheduled to compete in the elite I.G.F.AWorld Fishing Championship in Costa Rica this spring.
James passed away in a scuba diving accident while on a three-month sailing trip through the Caribbean.
James will always be remembered for being devoted to his family.
In addition to his parents, James is survived by his three brothers and their family’s. Christopher and his fiancé Jessica Ross of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Michael and his wife Laura and their daughter Emma of West Roxbury, and Thomas of Osterville. He is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
There will be visiting hours at the Robert J. Lawler and Crosby Funeral Home 1803 Centre Street. West Roxbury, MA 02132, 617-323-5600 on Friday December 6 from 4p.m. to 8 p.m. At the conclusion of visitations there will be a toast and song salute to James.
A memorial service hosted by the St. Sebastian’s Community at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 1180 Greendale Ave., Needham, Ma 02492 starting at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday December 7.
A private burial will follow the service on Cape Cod.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to:
The Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivorship Program Dana Faber Cancer Institute
10 Brookline Place West 6th Floor
Brookline, MA 02445
http://www.dana-farber.org