The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
James Dittman passed away on Monday April 23, 2018 at the age of 53.
He was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey but was a lifetime resident of the Middlebush section of Franklin Township. He was a 1982 graduate of Immaculata High School in Somerville and furthered his education with a Bachelor of Science from Rutgers University. He was employed by the United States Customs and Border Protection as an Agricultural Specialist at Port Elizabeth and Newark, NJ for over 18 years.
He loved music and played the bass guitar in local bands, The Mind Troupe and Contraption. He had an extensive record collection and would always play some records for you when visiting. His favorites were the Beatles and folk music. Jim was known to make friends anywhere he went. He had the gift to gab and always had a story to tell or knew some long ago family history. He traveled extensively to Europe and cruising the Caribbean but preferred trips to Germany. He was an Advanced Certified Scuba Diver and a fisherman. He loved the outdoors and a good camping trip every now and then. His most recent hobby was bird watching. Jim could be found in front of the television nightly at 7 PM to watch Jeopardy. What is his favorite game show?
Mr. Dittman was pre deceased by his parents Robert and Barbara Dittman.
He is survived by his wife Tracy of Middlebush, her daughters Courtney, Caitlyn, Chelsea and Christa (which they considered him as their “Bonus Dad”), his sisters Karen Dittman and her wife Maryann Hyatt of Piscataway, and Sharon Jones and her husband Corey of Jackson, nephew Ethan, niece Daria, granddaughter Madison and many family and friends.
Visiting will be held from 4-8 PM on Friday April 27 at the Gleason Funeral Home 1360 Hamilton Street, Somerset. Funeral services will be on Saturday April 28 at 9 AM at the Gleason Funeral Home followed by a 10 AM memorial service at Middlebush Reformed Church, South Middlebush Road, Somerset. Contributions may be made in his name to the Seabrook Foundation at www.seabrookfoundation.org or to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org.
