WILBRAHAM – James Mandrus, 88, of Wilbraham, passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Springfield on November 3, 1925, a son of the late Paul and Anna (Pappas) Malandrinos. He was raised in the Lower Liberty Heights section of the city, graduated from Technical High School and later lived in the Hungry Hill and East Springfield sections of Springfield before moving to Wilbraham in 2011. He served his country in the United States Navy during World War II aboard the USS Frank Knox and attained the rank of Fire Controlman Second Class receiving the American Area Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Medal with One Star and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his military service, he returned to Springfield and worked at Liberty Lunch, a restaurant owned by his family. His extensive career spanned several decades. He began as a projectionist at the former Paramount Theater and then worked as a lighting artist at several cafés in the Springfield area where many popular folk artists performed. As master electrician for the Storrowton Theater in West Springfield, he designed and executed the stage lighting for touring Broadway musicals and variety performances. He later became the Assistant Director and the Director of the Springfield Civic Center and also worked as plant engineer at the former Springfield Municipal Hospital. He continued to be very involved in music and the arts throughout his career, promoting various acts at Springfield Symphony Hall. He also traveled as lighting artist with globally renowned artistic companies such as the Leningrad Philharmonic. Additionally, he worked on set with many top tier Hollywood film productions and was an active member and officer of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Jim was very sociable and had a great sense of humor, making friends wherever he went. He was a big sports fan and loved all types of music. He was an amazing husband, brother, father and grandfather and was adored by his entire family. He was predeceased by his wife and soulmate, Ellen M. (McGowan) Mandrus, who passed away on May 4, 2012. They were married on August 21, 1948 at Sacred Heart Church in Springfield and were blessed with nearly 64 years of happiness together. He leaves his loving children, Paul W. Mandrus and his wife, Jeanne, of Cooper City, FL, Mary T. Collins and her husband, George, of Wilbraham, and Janis Mandrus and her husband, Rick Klarish, of New York, NY; his four cherished grandchildren, Nicholas Mandrus and his wife, Natalia, Laura Mandrus, Caroline Collins and James Collins; his cherished great-grandson, Anthony Mandrus; his dear sisters and brother, Ethel Donahue of Granby, Olga Boucher of Springfield, Mary Rose of East Longmeadow, George Mandrus of Knoxville, TN and Alice Eustathion, of Springfield; his dear sister-in-law of the McGowan family, Mary J. Graham of Chicopee; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, and extended members of the Mandrus and McGowan families; as well as his wonderful caregiver of the past year, Nadene. A Service of Committal with US Navy Military Honors will be held on Friday, September 5, 2014 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. There are no visiting hours at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to Soldiers Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com