Bob Oscarson

Robert “Bob” Brian Oscarson, 67, passed gently early Thursday morning, November 14, 2013 in Mt. Holly, NJ in the embrace of his sister Sigrid and brother-in-law Bill Wares. A Military Chaplain presided at his bedside. He was the son of Bertil [Bill] and Harriett Oscarson, both deceased.

Bob was born in Syracuse, NY on July 22, 1946 and at a young age moved with his family to Vernon and then Brattleboro, Vt. His family moved for his last year of high school to Eagle Bridge, NY and it was there that he graduated from Cambridge High School. Bob’s hobbies included assembling model airplanes, ships and tanks. He was a life-long history expert on World War II and the Civil War devouring books and movies to increase his knowledge. In his younger years he enjoyed skiing and was an accomplished drummer entertaining friends and family with his extraordinary abilities.

Bob enlisted in the Navy on May 23, 1967. He served proudly as Seaman Apprentice along with his dog Jet and was part of a 35-man Dog Patrol at the Naval Support Activity, Danang, Vietnam. In addition, he was stationed in Charlestown, SC on the USS Hunley. One of his most cherished duties onboard was to serve as an Assistant to the Chaplain. He attended Security Policeman School and Sentry Dog Handlers School. During his service in the Navy he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and Meritorious Unit Citation.

Bob was a painter and home repairman. He lived and worked in various places throughout his life including Manchester, Vt, New York City, Chatham, NJ, and Nantucket, MA. He spent his last 10 years in Gloucester City, NJ where he worked along side his brother-in-law Bill Wares at Jersey Central Insurance.

Bob remained very active with Veterans all his life, notably with the Nantucket American Legion and the Gloucester City VFW where his most recent official duty was Chaplain. These organizations became his life-blood and they relied on Bob as much as he relied on them for support. He would take hunting trips with his special buddies every fall on Nantucket. He will be sadly missed this year.

Bob cherished his 3 children and 5 grandchildren. His first marriage was to Barbara [Grady] Seholm with whom he had 2 children: Brian Oscarson [wife Carolyn] of Rockmart, GA and Siri Shields [husband Robert] of Mashpee, MA. Brian has 3 children, Trevor, Niles and Amelia. Siri has 2 children, Hannah and Caroline. Bob’s daughter, Emily from Cincinnati was from his marriage to Heidi Rutledge.

Bob had one brother, Craig Oscarson [wife Sally] of Quakertown, NJ, sisters Andrea Pence and Kim Oscarson of Marysville, CA, and sister Sigrid Wares [husband Bill] of Moorestown, NJ. Beloved nieces and nephews include: Amy, Chiara, Ingrid, Seth, Sigrid, and Siiri.

A Memorial Service in Bob’s memory was held at the Gloucester City VFW on November 19th. He donated his body to The Gift of Life. Bob was a friend to all he met and he will be missed. Contributions in his memory may be made to the following organization[s]:

Townsend C. Young VFW Post 3620, 27 North Burlington Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030

Sons of the American Legion Post 82, PMV 289 2 Greglan Ave, Nantucket, MA 02554

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