Captain James Basiliere M.D.

1934 - 2025

On February 22, 2025, Captain James Basiliere, M.D. passed away after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Dr. James Basiliere was born in Oshkosh, WI, on September 8, 1934, to Loren and Marceda Basiliere. He attended Oshkosh High School where he is remembered as being a gifted athlete. He played as a quarterback for the Oshkosh Comets and was also a catcher for the Oshkosh Giants, both semi-pro teams. He joined the United States Navy and was stationed in Jacksonville, FL. In the Navy, he served as a Corpsman and found a passion for medicine. During his enlistment, he played for the Naval Flyers Baseball Team, an honor, where some very Big League players were a part of this elite Navel team. In Jacksonville, he met his future southern-bell wife, Jessie Ann Branch.

After fulfilling his term of enlistment, James returned to Oshkosh to attend college at the U.W.O. He was on track of achieving his dream of becoming a doctor. Thereafter, James continued his education at the University of Wisconsin Madison Medical School, and he was forever a lifelong dedicated fan of the Wisconsin Badgers. He was lucky enough to watch and support them throughout his life and attend several Rose Bowl games. He was always dressed in red and white Bucky Badgers clothing on gameday. He often treated his family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to an exciting Badger football game.

After graduating from medical school, returning to the Navy, he moved to San Diego, California, to complete his residency and internship in Internal Medicine at the Naval Hospital. He also became board certified in hematology. James had fond memories of his three little girls coming to the hospital for Easter dinner dressed up in their beautiful dresses. Thereafter, James was stationed in Hawaii at the hospital where he treated wounded warriors and military enlisted. He got to spend his free time, -the little there was, at the beach surfing and sword fishing. After Hawaii, the family was relocated back to San Diego then to Great Lakes in Waukegan, IL. Thereafter, he was promoted to Commander and decided to stay in the Naval Reserves and bring his family back to his hometown of Oshkosh. There he became an Internal Medicine Physician treating many patients earning the nick-name of "Bring em back Baz" He was an expert physician, well respected by his peers and served as Chief of Staff at Aurora, Mercy Medical Center, and the Great Lakes Naval Hospital.

Basiliere continued his passion for sailing with E-scows and then his A boat (A Scow) and was quite proud when he won the cherished Felker Cup. He loved hunting and fishing with his friends, sons, and grandsons. One of his favorite trips was in Canada with his sons and older grandchildren. He had numerous hunting buddies and knew how to enjoy himself on the good "Up north" fishing trips where his friends would not let him shop for groceries because (he was always health conscious) he purchased turkey bacon.

James served his community as a doctor for over 40 years, including dedicating time to North High School as the Spartans football team doctor. He was a huge advocate for the sick and their need for healthcare. When managed healthcare came to Oshkosh, James became a doctor for Aurora. He also worked for the State of Wisconsin, treating patients at Winnebago Mental Health. He served on many Committees to cure Cancer and won numerous achievement awards throughout his career. He was also published in professional Journal. Eventually, he retired as a Captain in the US Navy. After retirement from Aurora he volunteered his time as a physician at the Living Healthy Clinic treating those who are uninsured and underserved. He was so dedicated to the practice of medicine and finding solutions for the medical issues his patients faced, that even after working his day shift and making his evening rounds, he would read, research and study his medical books, solving many challenging issues his patients faced. He was a very dedicated and respected physician.

James had so many passions in life whether it was racing E scows, iceboating or golfing, he always was an active participant. But most of all, his biggest dedication was to the many patients that were blessed enough to have him as their doctor. After retirement, he spent many winters in Amelia Island, FL and some traveling with friends. After Jessie passed away, Basiliere was lucky enough to find a new beginning of love when he married Rita Anderson. With Rita he met new friends and traveled to Alaska on a cruise and Florida to get a break from the winter.

Dr. Basiliere is preceded in death by his first wife, Jessie; parents, Loren and Marceda Basiliere; sister, Janet Monroe; and granddaughter, Jessica Drexler. He is survived by his wife, Rita; his daughters, Patricia Basiliere Kleinfeldt, Kathryn (Kevin) Drexler, Attorney Teresa (Timothy), Basiliere-Madaus; his sons, James (Tiffany) Basiliere Jr., Richard (Annette) Basiliere; grandchildren, Attorney Robert (Jennie) Kleinfeldt, Keara (Jason Klug) Kleinfeldt, Jordan (Ashley) Drexler, Ryan (Megan) Basiliere, Eric Madaus, James Basiliere III, Gabriella, Riley, Anikka, Alex and Olivia Basiliere; he is further survived by his beloved great-grandchildren, Malia, Eli, Bryson, Isabella, Asher, Penelope and Aren; Rita's daughters, Kate (Ryan) Vaubel and their children, Gavin, Emma, and Lucas, and Sarah Larson and her children, Jacob and Kendall.

Dad, thank you for your love, guidance and commitment to being a healer and a wonderful Dad. We have precious memories of spending time with you enjoying the rides at Disney and Great America and swimming in the surf at the beach. Most of all, you always gave us a sense of comfort when we were sick that all would be okay. We remember the many nights you stayed up worrying about a sick patient, God truly created a healer in you. The world was a better place because of you. We will miss you every day, rest in peace Dad -we love you. Now you may sail with the angels.

A funeral service for Dr. James Basiliere will be held at First English Church,1013 Minnesota St, Oshkosh, on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 10:30am. Visitation will be held from 9:30am till the start of the service. The family ask in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Oshkosh Yacht Club, Carbone Cancer Center, or the University of Wisconsin Medical School to be given to a student pursuing a medical degree.


Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home
402 Waugoo Ave.
Oshkosh WI 54901
(920) 231-1510