James F Rulman

He was born in Hicksville Ohio on August 27, 1931 the son of Norman J and Florence E (Dysert) Rulman. He graduated from both Paulding High School, Paulding, Ohio, and The International Business College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He joined the Air Force in 1951 and served in the Korean War. He gave 21½ years to his country before retiring and embarking on a second career as Chief with the Westbrook Fire Department in 1973. During his tenure serving his country, he met the love of his life and dedicated 62+ loving years to his wife Arlene Mathieu. They married on August 7, 1954. Together they raised 5 children while serving on various bases in the United States and Europe.

James became Chief of the Westbrook Fire Department serving in that capacity from 1973 to 1994. During his time as Chief he played an important role in merging the Westbrook Rescue and Fire Department under one division. He developed and implemented Fire Attack Training School and was active with training and instructing until the last years when his health began to fail. Recently he received the Life Time Achievement Award from the Westbrook Fire Department for his service and dedication to the city of Westbrook and adjoining cities and towns. Prior to his retirement as Chief, he was instrumental in the development and implementation of the 911 system for Cumberland County. In his spare time he loved to garden, play pinochle and cribbage, watch the Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots and yes even the Montreal Canadians. He continued with the Rulman family tradition for a love of trains with a collection of trains and videos that he often enjoyed watching. He served as a Eucharistic Minister for his church, past president of New England Fire Chiefs Association, and he was a 3rd degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. He was extremely devoted to his faith, his wife of 62 years, and his children and grandchildren. He cherished his wife and was often heard saying she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Their devotion to one another continued throughout his joyful life.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Arlene Mathieu Rulman, his brother, Thomas A Rulman and partner, Jane Stouffer of Paulding Ohio, 5 children James N. and his wife, Lori of Westbrook, Michael J. of Standish, Patricia Jane of North Yarmouth, Cynthia Ann of Portland, Monica and her husband Jason Balko of Portland; 9 grandchildren and their families, Christopher, Matthew, Ryan, Rebecca, Mark, Olivia and Gabriella Titcomb, David Nagem, and Anthony Reardon; 9 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins, and fire department family. He was predeceased by a younger brother Paul and both his parents.

The family would like to invite you to visiting hours at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St, Portland ME 207-775-3763 on June 11th from 2:00 to 4:00pm and 6:00 to 8:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Anthony of Padua, 268 Brown St, Westbrook ME on Monday June 12th at 11:00am followed by a committal service at Brooklawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the Rulman family would encourage donations to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Westbrook Fire and Rescue Department.

You may offer your condolences and share your stories online at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com