James Albert Christensen
James Albert Christensen of Sag Harbor died at the Hampton Care Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Southampton on January 14, seven weeks after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He was 91.
Born on September 25, 1921, in Carrollton, Michigan, to Iva (King) and Albert Christensen, he grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, and graduated from St. Andrew’s High School, where he was on the Eucharistic committee, English club, Sodality fellowship and the football team.
After graduation, he worked for a General Motors plant that was converted to make machine guns for the coming war.
He joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 and went to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, Illinois. He was then sent to the University of Minnesota for further training. His next base was at the torpedo testing range in Montauk. While there, he met his future wife, Leatrice Lorraine Basile, at one of the dances held in the Montauk Manor.
Later, he was at Providence, Rhode Island, and was assigned to the cargo/attack ship, USS Athene, AKA 22. The ship provided other naval vessels with vital supplies, and also landed Marines at the battles of the Philippines, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and other Pacific islands. When Japan surrendered, Mr. Christensen, who picked up the nickname “Chris,” which stuck with him the rest of his life, spent time in Yokosuka, Japan
He received the American Area Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon and WW II Victory Ribbon. The USS Athene was awarded two battle stars for World War II service.
In June 1946, Chris and Leatrice, known as “Lea,” were married in Christ Church in Sag Harbor and moved to Saginaw. They later returned to the East End and he worked as a glazier for Riverhead Glass Company for more than 20 years. When the company closed its doors, he worked for Robert E. Otto Glass Company for more than 25 years.
He enjoyed reading and woodworking, making many things for his home and family, including a two-story doll house with furniture for his oldest granddaughter, whose own daughter now has it.
Prior to hip surgery three and a half years ago, Mr. Christensen and his oldest son, Jim, a veteran of the Vietnam War, were the only father/ son veterans to march in the Memorial Day parades.
He loved to play the harmonica, and his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren always enjoyed listening to him.
Mr. Christensen was predeceased by a baby granddaughter, Tricia Christensen; a brother, Edward; and a sister June. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two sons, James Russell Christensen of Sag Harbor and Richard Alan Christensen and wife Mindy of Southampton; a daughter, Toni-Lea Corwin and husband Tim of Southampton; six grandchildren, Tamara Corwin Tillman and husband Glenn of Georgia, Jonathon Travis Corwin and fiancée Katie Dunn of Southampton, Alyssa Lorraine Christensen and fiancé Joe Brush of Southampton, Karianne Elizabeth Corwin of California and Justin Richard Christensen of Southampton; and two great-grandchildren, Cory and Annalea Tillman. He is also survived by three sisters, Betty Mehl, Donna Furlo and Shirley Dowd; twin brothers, Jerry and Larry Christensen, all of Michigan; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass took place at St. Andrew’s Church on January 23, with Father Peter officiating. Interment was in the Basile family plot at Oakland Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Andrew’s Church or the Sag Harbor Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 2725, Sag Harbor, NY 11963.
on Jan 30, 2013