New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman

A Tribute to our friend Jim Plastine

On what would have been his 66th birthday, the staff at the NJ Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman remember our friend and former colleague Jim Plastine, who died on May 14, 2020.

While he worked for LTCO, Jim was a strong advocate for long-term care residents, an amazing resource to his colleagues, and a calm and steady presence in the office. We were very sorry to see Jim retire but Jim made a point to stay in touch and he never missed an LTCO holiday party.

We have all lost so much in 2020 but the idea that we will never see Jim again is pretty hard to accept. A few people in this office spoke to him in the days and weeks before he died, and reported that he was full of life and good humor and was thoroughly enjoying his retirement in his newly adopted state of Delaware.

I will always remember Jim for the delicious pies that he brought to our potluck lunches, his excellent taste in wine, his weekend gunslinger stories, and his willingness to drop everything and help a colleague. He was extremely good at his job and earned that respect of all who worked with him. But, more than that, he was a truly good person.

Laurie Facciarossa Brewer
NJ Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Below are some thoughts from some of Jim's colleagues at the LTCO.

"Jim was a very kind accepting person. His door was always open and created connections with staff that fostered trust, growth and collaboration. His professional competency and leadership style were admirable." – Lea Hernandez

"When I was first hired to LTCO (OOIE 🙂) I was SO nervous. Jim took the time to ask me questions about my background, where I had worked and what kind of things I liked to do. He was genuine in his interest. One word for Jim Plastine would be sincere. Or kind, lovely, very funny- smart as hell!!" -- Jen McMahon

"I'll never forget how Jim always took care of us, literally. If someone in the office was feeling under the weather or having a health problem, Jim would put on his nurse's hat and make sure you were ok (or send you home!). He must've treated everyone in the office at some point. He was a nurse at heart." – Amy Brown

"I will always remember Jim for his knowledge and love of his profession and enthusiasm for helping everyone." - Beth Mane

"I will always remember Jim for his wisdom and advice during my orientation - Teresa Johnson

"Jim and I discussed many things....work, music, his re-enactment involvement, family and much more. He was, as you all know a wealth of knowledge about the LTCO and the Nursing profession. Even now when I venture into the office during these strange and troubled times I still expect to see Jim sitting in an office. Always there to help. I miss him...." – Paul Plumeri

"Jim was my mentor, confidant, and friend. Arriving at the Ombudsman's Office 12+ years ago, Jim was always available to help answer my questions. Issues that were as "clear as mud," (one of Jim's colloquialism) he somehow managed to make everything so clear." – Dee Mraw

"Jim was an exceptional human being who I had an opportunity to work with for several years. Jim was exceptional because he was the embodiment of kindness, gentleness and love. He gave of his time and knowledge without critique. He sincerely cared about people and loved unconditionally his family, friends and coworkers." – Audrey Anderson

"Jim was always available to me in so many ways…from explaining "how things worked" on my new job, to monitoring my blood pressure when it was a problem. He and I worked to develop chapters 3 and 4 together for the certification program and his expertise on so many levels was so impressive. He willingly and good naturedly trained a cadre of volunteers for us. The advocates were crazy about him. He was a dear, deep thinking man with a heart as large as Texas who was also the ultimate class act." -- Janet Khanlian

"Jim was everything we've already mentioned, and more than any of us will ever know." – Anita Scheckter

"A cowboy from the wrong century." - Fred Paugh