A Community Memorial Service was held for Marine Park resident James (Jim) O. Buchanan (October 16, 1945–April 12, 2024) at the Carmine Carro Community Center, 3000 Fillmore Avenue, on Saturday, May 4th.
Jim loved Marine Park and was actively involved in the community, having served as president of both the Marine Park Civic Association and the 63rd Precinct Community Council. Most recently, he was a board member of Community Board 18, where he served on the Public Safety Committee. As a veteran, Jim always led the Pledge of Allegiance at CB18 meetings and made a specific request for all veterans to salute the flag. He was also a graduate of the NYPD Civilian Police Academy.
Jim loved his country and was a proud veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Passionate about his service, he felt it was his responsibility to represent not only disabled veterans but all veterans in our community who proudly served. Because of that, he became an active member and commander of the Disabled American Veterans and a member of the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Because of his selfless dedication to his country, Jim was honored at a Veterans Day Ceremony in November 2022 (see “Assemblywoman Jaime Williams Honors Local Veterans at Appreciation Ceremony,” Canarsie Courier, November 10, 2022). The Canarsie Courier also featured him in a series called Hometown Heroes (see “Hometown Heroes: Jim Buchanan,” November 17, 2022).
A long list of friends and colleagues honored him at the memorial, including elected officials, Assemblywoman Jaime Williams, State Senator Roxanne Persaud (via Zoom) and District Leader Frank Seddio; CB18 District Manager Sue Ann Partnow; CB18 Parks Committee Chairperson Nancy Walby (Jim loved the parks and the outdoors); Greg Borruso, current president of the 63rd Precinct Community Council; and Millennium Development Executive Director Paul Curiale, who emceed the memorial and spoke about Jim’s deep faith in God.
All shared stories of their unique friendship with Jim, Persaud calling him a “gem” and sharing a touching poem that her staff member, Michelle Edwin, wrote in his honor.
Having studied psychology and sociology, Jim volunteered his time for over 13 years as a counselor at the only suicide help center in New York, a service that covered an area of over 16 million people. He also loved music and the outdoors and could often be seen taking in a Brooklyn Cyclones games.
He was active in politics too, serving as the Republican coordinator for the Board of Elections in local elections. In fact, Jim traced his roots back to the 15th President of the United States, James Buchanan (1857-1861). Seddio, who previously served as chairman of the Kings County Democratic Party, said although they didn’t always agree, they had a great respect for each other. “He had enormous integrity. This is a man who loved his community; this is a man who believed in this country and the things that we stand for.”
As Jim touched so many different aspects of people’s lives, Curiale had CB18 board members, fellow Board of Election workers and neighbors stand up at different times during the memorial service.
To have his memory live on and to honor his many contributions to his community and country, Seddio has proposed to have a street sign in Jim’s name added to the street corner where he lived.
Rest in peace, James Buchanan.
Photos by Michael Wright
