James H. Augustine

1947 - 2014

Augustine, James H. Born June 30, 1947, died on March 1, 2014. Beloved husband of "Honey Bun" aka Ruthann (nee Kupper). Loving dad of Lynn Marie (Don) Woo. Loving step-dad of Mark Bednar, Eric Bednar and Michele (Patrick) Connell. Dear grandpa of Kaitlyn, Michael, Jacob, Megan, Sarah (Gus) Kaufmann, Emily, Kee, Charley, Grace, Logan and Conor. Loving son of Helen and the late Joseph. Dearest brother of Rev. Kenneth Augustine. Also survived by his dear Aunt Laura, cousin Bill (Sallie) Ottow, niece Betsy (Donald) Meverden and great-grandson, Baby Gus. Visitation at the Funeral Home, Friday, March 7, 4-8 PM. Additional visitation at ST. LUKE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 18000 W. Greenfield Ave., Saturday, 10-10:45 AM. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 AM. Burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, Waukesha. James has been a practicing Wisconsin licensed funeral director and embalmer for the past 40 years. He was a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association and the Milwaukee/Waukesha County Funeral Directors Association. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in biology and minor in history from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, WI. Graduating in 1969. He was a 1970 "Magna Cum Laude" graduate of the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science, Milwaukee, WI. He holds a Master's of Science Degree in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI. Graduating in 1996. James has been a full-time instructor in the Funeral Service Program at the Milwaukee Area Technical College for the past 35 years. He has served as Program Coordinator since 1985 and, in addition, became President of the American Board of Funeral Service Education in 2002. In addition to his teaching and administrative duties at MATC, he served on the Executive Board of Local 212 of the American Federation of Teachers. He also served as Campus representative for Local 212 for the last 7 years. He was the founder of and advisor to the "ETA" chapter of Sigma Phi Sigma, funeral service fraternity at MATC. Prior to becoming President of the ABFSE in 2002, he served as Treasurer of the ABFSE from 1998 through 2000, and as Vice President from 2000 through 2002. James has served as Chairman of the ABFSE Curriculum Committee from 1986 to 2000. During this time as Curriculum Committee chair, he supervised the complete re-writing of the ABFSE curriculum. He also established the curriculum review process for the American Board. He served on 3 "on-site" Accreditation Team visits for the American Board. James also served on the Executive Committee of the University of Mortuary Science Education Association and has held the office of Treasurer of UMSEA in 1986. James has served on 2 "item writing workshops" of the Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards. He served on the Recruitment and Retention Task Force of the NFDA. He had an active role in the 2004 NFDA Recruitment/Retention video. He was currently a member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Thanks to Drs. Schellinger and Sanchez for their kind concern and care. "Life is not forever, Eternal life is forever"