James R. Werfelman, 81, of Mashpee died Saturday, May 9 at the Falmouth Hospital.

He was born James Richard Werfelman on May 21, 1933 in Providence, Rhode Island the son of Joseph Alexander and Winifred Hannah (Burniston) Werfelman.

James joined the Army underage to help support his family. He was honorably discharged when this was discovered. He then joined the Air Force. He became a military photographer and was stationed in Korea and Japan during the Korean Conflict.

After he was discharged, he worked as an ironworker in Rhode Island. He joined New England Telephone/Verizon in 1969 and worked a variety of jobs there such as lineman, drafter, and dispatcher until his retirement in 1998.

He was united in marriage to Dianna Waleen (Burrell) on Sept. 21, 1963. They were married for 47 years until her passing in 2011. Also preceding him in death were: his parents, his daughter Erika Lee, and three brothers William, Joseph and Robert Werfelman.

Surviving family members are his daughters Suzanne Pettengill and her husband Jeffrey of Mashpee, and Kris Tamburrini and her husband Bruno of Wareham. He is survived by five grandchildren: Bruno James III, Daphne, Caleb, Aidan, and Eva Tamburrini. Also surviving is his sister Margaret Whitehead and her husband Richard of Connecticut.

There will be a visitation with family members on Friday May 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 154 Rte. 6A in Sandwich. A funeral service will begin at 7 p.m. following the visitation.

Burial will be private in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that memorials be made to the donor’s choice.

Friends may share condolences, and sign the register book online at www.nickersonbournefuneralhome.com