James Stanley Nystrom

James Stanley Nystrom of Medford NJ was 13 years beyond the “design stage” of four score when he passed away on April 7, 2024. Born June 19, 1930, in Hackensack, NJ to Marden R and Ruth D (Fisbeck) Nystrom, he grew up in River Edge where he met the love of his life, Eleanor J Spencer. He attended Hackensack HS and graduated in 1947 from the Hackley School in Tarrytown NY. He went off to Hobart College but came home to marry Ele on April 1, 1949, no foolin’. He played baseball and graduated from Hobart in 1951 with a BA in Economics. His career in restaurant management began at the family Nystroms Restaurant in Paramus, NJ in 1951. Moving to Arlington VA in 1956 with 2 young daughters, Ele kept the household going while Jim worked for Hot Shoppes restaurant, received his MA in Economics from American Univ in 1961, and worked for the Federal Reserve Board. Soon after his son was born, the family returned to Livingston NJ where Jim began a long career in economic forecasting for Foster Wheeler Corporation from 1966-1995. Jim’s strong Christian faith found him serving God and others through Presbyterian Churches in Arlington VA, Livingston NJ, Richmond VA and Mt Holly NJ. He volunteered however needed – with youth, groundskeeping, administration, running the food pantry, media, kitchen, transportation and most importantly love and kind words and deeds. He lived his life with the words “love God, and love others” and his license plate motto he inherited from Ele, “BGRATFL”. Relationships were everything to Jim. He spent hours talking on the phone, texting or emailing all his friends and family. He and Ele kept up with their friends from River Edge to the very end. Baseball and music with the guys in the HS band set him on a great path. He believed music can heal the world and invites you to listen to Christian hymns for hope and Andre Rieu for joy. Jim was predeceased by his parents, and in 2009 by Ele. He is survived by children Gail Nystrom of Costa Rica, Sheryl Markley (Ray) of Eastampton NJ, Jim Nystrom (Beth) of Henrico NC, 10 grandchildren and 3 spouses, and 2 great grandchildren. He loved each one for who they were, however near or far they were. He was known by all for his humor, and his passion for helping others and always lifting their spirits with his smile and interest in them. Internment service will be at the George Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Rd, Paramus NJ on Friday April 19 at 10:00 am. A celebration of Life Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 125 Garden St, Mt Holly, NJ also on Friday at 4:30 pm. Visitation with the family will be at the church from 3:30-4:30. Please wear joyful clothes to Jim’s celebration. The family wishes to thank the staff at Medford Leas for all the love and care they provided during the 8+ years of Jim’s life in Medford. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Jim’s name to the Christian Caring Center, Browns Mills NJ (christiancaringcenter.net), the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation (crhf.org) or the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (appalachiantrail.org) where you might just find him serving as a trail angel.

James Stanley Nystrom

June 19, 1930 - April 7, 2024