James Marshall Strom

James Marshall Strom of Philadelphia, PA, passed away on Monday, October 26, 2020. After several years of declining health, James died peacefully with his beloved daughter Karen by his side. He was born in Philadelphia on February 12, 1929, to father Frank Alvin Strom and mother Edith Burns Strom. The second youngest of ten children, Jim didn’t have the opportunity for a college education. In order to help out his family, he enlisted in the Army at age 17 and was stationed as a military police officer with the occupation forces in Germany from 1946-47. At the end his military duty, Jim returned home and became a Philadelphia police officer. Never one to sit idle, after a 28-year career he worked on the maintenance team at Methodist Hospital for another 27 years before retiring at the age of 83. Jim loved the Jersey shore and no visit would be complete without swinging by a local casino for “all-you-can-eat” mussels and video poker. He was a kind soul and never met a stranger. He met the love of his life, Julia Rita Masciantonio and they married in 1956. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings; his brothers Charlie and Frank, as well as his sisters Thelma, Edyth, Ann, Florence, Dorothy, Betty, and Ruth. He is survived by his daughter Karen Maria (John) McGoff and grandchild Ava Elizabeth McGoff of Indianapolis. The family would like to thank his longtime caregiver, Jerry Fuller, as well as the staff at Transitions Hospice and Kesslerwood Place. Due to COVID, a private service for Jim is planned for the family. People wishing to honor Jim’s lifelong commitment to family and friends can make donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.