James M. Brine
April 4, 1933 ~ February 27, 2023
Born in:
Belmont, MA
Resided in:
Hamden, CT
Mr. James M. Brine, of Hamden, CT, died on February 27, 2023. Born on April 4, 1933, he was a son of the late Clarence and Margaret Flanigan Brine. Dr. Brine earned his Masters and Doctoral degrees from the University of Massachusetts and Bachelors degree from Georgetown University and College of the Holy Cross. As a young man, he served our country in the US Army during the Korean War. He was a professionally accomplished man, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Dr. Brine had many significant contributions to the fields of Counseling and Mental Health during his over 60 year professional career. His many accomplishments included distinctions such as the Professional and former Chair of the Graduate Counseling and School Psychology program at Southern Connecticut State University and President of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision for the State of Connecticut. In addition, he was a former member of the Mayor of New Haven’s Executive Committee serving the elderly. He conducted many workshops and developed masters level institutes in multiple areas such as Art Psychotherapy and issues in Divorce. As a member of the Commission on Aging with the American Personnel and Guidance Association in Washington DC, he was a keynote speaker addressing the needs of the elderly at the Lincoln Center at Tufts University along with lecturing in a number of graduate programs in Canada. Most recently, Dr. Brine was an Adjunct Faculty at Albertus Magnus College, supervising interns in Human Services and Psychology.
Dr. Brine’s work was recognized with many awards for excellence and his contributions to the fields he dedicated his life to. Such recognition included the Connecticut Art Therapy Association Award, Professor Emeritus granted at SCSU and the Connecticut School of Counselor’s Association Award in the state of Connecticut on two occasions.
He will be remembered by his wife, Dr. Ragaa Mazen, a former Professor of Psychology at Southern Connecticut State University and former Director of the Human Services Programs at Albertus Magnus College; his son, Mark Brine and wife Linda; daughters, Molly Brine and husband Ian Paul, Omneya “Nini” Mazen and Nevert “Beata” Mazen and his spiritual son, John Parziale; his grandchildren, Max Brine and wife Jackie, Michael Brine and Kyle Mazen Carpentier; his sister, Carol Shea and husband Bill and their children, Bill, Tim, Karen, and Brenda; sister-in-law, Betty Anne Brine, and her children Denise, John and Evelyn. Predeceased by his brother, John Brine. He also leaves many dear family members in Cairo, Egypt.
Dr. Brine’s professional accomplishments, love for life, family and friends, impacted countless people. We will forever be grateful for the role he played in our lives.
Friends are invited to visit with his family on Saturday, March 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden, followed by a Celebration of Life at noon in the funeral home. Burial will be private.
Services
Visitation: March 4, 2023 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service - Hamden
2300 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
203-288-0800
Funeral Service: March 4, 2023 12:00 pm
Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service - Hamden
2300 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
203-288-0800
A wonderful person with an warm smile, hardy laugh, and great conversation. He will be missed.
It was an honor to have met you and your beautiful family. I will forever remember your infectious smile.
My deepest condolences to Ragaa and all of Jim’s family. Jim touched so many lives and shaped many more careers for those that had him as a professor. Jim was a mentor, friend, professional colleague, and most especially that one person you meet that changes your life trajectory for the better. My career over the past 40 years as a counselor, educator, and trainer in mental health is shaped on Jim’s guidance, unwavering kindness, and expertise. Thank you Jim for meeting me at my crossroad back in the 70’s.
With deepest sympathy. We are thinking of you Ragaa and your family.
Sad to hear this news .Jim was my Psychology professor in graduate school at Southern in the 1970’s and assisted me to become an Adjunct Instructor in Human Services at Albertus , along with Ragaa, in the early 1990’s .He was an intelligent, humorous, warm and kind gentleman Ragaa and Jim were a great team and I’m fortunate and proud to have worked on their team .A big loss for Albertus and the community . A guy with a great smile and a warm , friendly manner. Godspeed Jim ,I will always love you and Ragaa for all the support you afforded me at Albertus.I will miss your friendship and support, and your great big smile . Ragaa, you have support and love from many folks including myself. Whatever you need, just call
Ragaa,
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family on the loss of your other half. Jim always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. He will be missed.
In sympathy,
Bonnie
We will dearly miss Jim and greatly regret that we cannot attend the March 4 Celebration of Life service as we both have COVID.
Ragaa and Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss, but so grateful to have been able to call Jim a friend. What an amazing man and life, yet he was so incredibly humble. He was truly one in a million. That sweet smile will light up the Heavens for eternity!!
Holding you all close in my heart,
Leslie
To Ragaa & the Mazen & Brine Families;
My deepest empathies are extended for the passing of my friend & colleague Jim.
We were friends & associates for more than 50 years. He was truly a kind, compassionate, professional & “gentile” man , who was liked by all & for his wonderful smile & warmth.
I will miss him greatly & for the memorable times we spent together.
May all Blessings be bestowed upon him & his family.
With warm, caring feelings.
Your friend,
CHUCK
To Ragaa, the Brine and Mazen families,
Our deepest condolences to you all. Jim and Ragaa were guiding lights as Andi launched her studies at Southern in the 70s. Jim always modeled patient and thoughtful understanding of others as a human being, professor and advisor. His gentle and smile and kind reassurances have left a lasting impression on so many. And what a pleasure it was to find you both again in San Juan by the pool-you were both so welcoming! Ragaa and Jim-what a team! Jim truly made a difference in our world-and now we all must weep…..
With fondness and great respect,
Andi and Wayne Chorney
It was such an honor to know you and to see the beautiful relationship — a true partnership — that you and Ragaa shared. Your love was and is an inspiration.
Our VCH, Veterans Coffee House meets monthly at the Wallingford Senior Center which not only gives our Vets the chance to socialize but also take part in enjoying a guest speaker which are related to military topics. We were founded in 2017 by Mark Halliday and Robert Boucher. Our Veterans are an exceptional group and our intention is to bring together to socialize, offer assistance and support. We can be contacted at the Wallingford Senior Center.
At this very difficult time, our group would like to honor the loss of James Brine as a fallen brother. Our military Veterans send out their heartfelt condolences to the Brine family and friends. As an Army Veteran, he had joined an elite group of honorable men and women and our Country will forever be in his debt.