James A. Mardin

PORTLAND – Jim Mardin, 103, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, at Mercy Hospital.

Jim was born in South Portland on Jan. 23, 1922, to Mildred Parmenter Mardin and Alvin James Mardin. He attended schools in Gorham and Portland and graduated from Deering High School with the Class of 1940. Prior to graduation, Jim joined the Maine National Guard and was later sworn into the U.S. Army as part of the war effort. Jim said he was always early or on time for everything, but the one thing he was late for was the D-Day (June 6, 1944) Invasion on Omaha Beach; Jim arrived June 12, 1944. He was with the 460th Antiaircraft Battalion and participated in five campaigns and was at the Battle of the Bulge.

After the war, Jim earned his pilot’s license and attended Northeast Business College. It was there he met Bettie Bowen, who he would marry in 1950 and spend 60 years with until her death in 2011. Together, they raised two children, Tamlyn (Osolin) and Timothy in South Portland.

Jim is survived by his son, Timothy (Cheryl), their four children, Katie (Ryan) Chase, Stephen (Huong) Mardin, Julia (Patrick) Miner, Ben (Alli Cormier) Mardin; and granddaughter, Emily Osolin. He also leaves behind his great-grandchildren, Everett, Alexander, Rosalie, Evelyn and Marcella.

After college, Jim spent 11 years at King Cole Foods as the office manager and 29 years at Merrill Transport, retiring as a vice president of transportation. While at Merrill, he was a past – president of Maine Good Roads Association, secretary of the Maine Oil Dealers, secretary of the Inst. Of Material Management and a board member of Assoc. General Contractors.

Jim’s second career as a professional volunteer spanned 38 years and included roles with the Maine Turnpike Authority (radio dispatcher), Maine State Police (Reserve), Civil Air Patrol (pilot), Maine Medical Center (over 11,000 hours and the 2012 Volunteer of the Year), Sedgewood Commons, the Portland House (treasurer – 15 years) and the Maine Military Museum (where he continued to volunteer until his death).

After Bettie’s death, Lucy DeRoche became a special friend in Jim’s life. The two of them supported one another and they were inseparable. This beautiful friendship allowed Jim to maintain his independence until the end.

Visiting hours will be Friday, March 7 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland. Services will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, followed by burial at Forest City Cemetery. A reception will be held at Maine Military Museum beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Condolences may be expressed online at http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Olympics, the

Maine Military Museum or the American Legion.