James R. Oberg

HOLDEN – Capt. James R. Oberg, 64, a longtime resident and firefighter in Holden, died on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at the UMass Memorial Medical Center, University Campus, Worcester, after unexpectedly taking ill. Born and raised in Holden, Jim was the son of Ralph E. and Mary F. (Kenney) Oberg and lived here all of his life.



He leaves his wife of 17 years, Linda (Pratte) Salmonsen Oberg; his daughter, Darlynne Tracy-Oberg and her husband, Mark of Princeton; three step-children, Todd M. Salmonsen and his wife, Jennifer of Worcester, Leah M. Veeck and her husband, Edward of Laurel, Maryland and Matthew C. Salmonsen of Santa Clara, California; a brother, Edward Oberg and his wife, Ginny of Rutland; a sister, Karen E. Remi and her husband, Ralph of Worcester; 10 grandchildren, Kurtis Tracy, Axel and Charles Oberg, Vanessa Nelson, Jonathan, Sierra, and Ian Salmonsen, Casia, Holden and Elliot Veeck; and many nephews and nieces including his nephew, Godson, and friend, Steven Oberg. It should be noted, that Jim also leaves his lifetime friend and confidant, Rich DeWitt of Holden, with whom he shared his tales of the hunt and fishing adventures. He is predeceased by his daughter, Wendy D. Oberg Nelson.



Jim graduated from Wachusett Regional High School in 1968. After graduating from High School, he went to work for the Town of Holden Department of Public Works where he spent the last several years as foreman of the highway department, retiring in 2014. Jim was a true “townie” and devoted himself to making his community a great place to live. If you criticized his town unjustly, without hesitation, Jim would convincingly remind you of your error of judgment.



At the age of nineteen, Jim eagerly joined the dedicated members of the Holden Fire Department as an on-call firefighter. Throughout the next 47 years, Jim served in various capacities within the fire department. He was planning to retire in June of this year after serving the last 37 years as a Captain. Jim was an exemplary firefighter and leader and empowered his men to do the same through imparting trust, respect, and acting honorably. He is remembered by members of the department as a caring mentor and role model. Jim never forgot the awesome responsibility of his command, not only to his men, but their wives and their children. Jim knew that when things got bad, that he would follow the tradition of his command to be the last to leave. In the Book of Isaiah God asked: “whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah replies, “Here am I. Send me.” And that was Jim.



Jim also served six years as a “medic” in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was a passionate outdoorsman and looked forward to hunting and fishing trips to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont with his close friends. He was a member of the Nimrod Club in Holden, Massachusetts Call Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, and the Holden Association of Firefighters. For years, Jim worked tirelessly volunteering his time with his brother, Eddie, at the Chaffin Mens Association’s annual carnival which raised funds for youth sports in Holden.



In 1998, Jim’s life changed forever when he married his soul mate, Linda Salmonsen, and became part of her large extended family of brothers and sisters that embraced him as their own.



First and foremost, Jim was a family man. He enjoyed time spent at his family’s home on Manchaug Pond in Douglas where he taught his grandchildren to fish, steer the party boat, respect nature and appreciate the simple things in life. He understood that it is rarely the actual act of catching fish that most fishermen are truly after. Although often outspoken in his views, Jim’s honest and common sense approach to life earned him the respect and admiration of his peers.



Jim’s last act of kindness occurred on the day of his death when he donated life saving organs so that others may live.



Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Jim’s family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, February 16, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. A funeral service honoring Jim’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, at the First Congregational Church of Holden, 1180 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jim’s name to the Holden Association of Firefighters, P.O. Box 190, Holden, MA 01520.



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