James P. Masterson

James "Jim" Masterson went home to be with the Lord on Monday, December 20, 2021, after a long battle with diabetes and other related ailments. Jim was 73 years old at the time of his death, but he maintained the spirit of youth throughout his life. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Gertrude Masterson and his brother, John Masterson, Jr. Jim is survived by his wife Susan; his daughters, Tara McCausland (David) and Erin Gilpin (Rich); his brother, Tom Masterson (Diann); his four grandchildren and his nephews.
Jim was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey on June 9, 1948. As a child, Jim had a reputation for making mischief and having fun with his older brother, and partner in crime, John. As he matured, Jim's focus turned to caring for his elderly mother whom he tenderly cared for until her passing in January of 1973.
Jim graduated from St. Peter's High School in New Brunswick, New Jersey in 1966. Jim's first job out of high school was in banking operations and he went on to spend his career in banking where he rose through the ranks to ultimately become senior vice president at WFSF Bank before moving on to work at M&T Bank in the twilight of his career. Jim's easy-going attitude and quickness to laugh concealed a keen ability for management and problem solving. Jim was an affable man who was deeply liked by many with whom he worked during his more than 40-year banking career.
Jim loved his family and delighted in spending time with his grandchildren. Jim commuted between Bear, Delaware and Baltimore, Maryland each day while working at M&T Bank and would still have the energy and make the time to play matchbox cars with his young grandson Shane on a Friday evening after a long week of work. In his later years, Jim enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow and loved playing cards with his youngest grandchild Addison who, after learning the games from her grandfather, was always eager to challenge him to a game.
Jim was a proud, dedicated Catholic who was a product of Catholic school and attended Mass consistently throughout his life. When asked for his daughters' hand in marriage, he had just two requirements - that they be married in a Catholic church and that the children be raised Catholic. Both future sons-in-law enthusiastically complied! Jim was heavily involved in the Knights of Columbus while residing in Weeki Wachee, Florida where he rose to the level of Grand Knight at St. Theresa's. Upon Jim's return to Delaware in April of 2020, he became a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Hockessin, Delaware. Unfortunately, Covid-19 made it difficult for Jim to become as involved with the church and the Knights of Columbus as he would have liked.
Jim's hobbies included solving puzzles and playing cards - both of which he did very well. He gardened for years and was always willing to lend his daughter Erin a hand with her garden. He loved dogs and had one at his side for the majority of his adult life. Above all else, he was a family man who was deeply dedicated to his wife, daughters, and grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.
Family and friends are invited to visit at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Wednesday, December 29 from 5:00-7:00PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 7200 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin on Thursday, December 30 at 10:00AM, followed by interment in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Ashland.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jim may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, Virginia 22202 (www.diabetes.org).