James Canfield James Donald
Stonington — James E. Canfield, 70, died peacefully at L+M Hospital, with family by his side after a long illness.
“Jim,” as he was best known, was born in Norwich on May 20, 1947, to the late Earl and Elsie (Smith) Canfield. After graduating high school, Jim joined the U.S. Marine Corp, serving his country in Vietnam. After his honorable discharge, Jim first lived in the Boston area, moving back to the Norwich/ Montville area. He worked as a mental healthcare worker for the former Norwich State Hospital until its closing, moving on to continue that same career with Southeast Mental Health Authority until retiring 15 years ago.
He was married to the former Margery Barnes in Montville, on March 11, 1989. She survives him. Jim was a Mason, wood carver, woodworker, stained glass artisan, and avid golfer, but what he will be most remembered for was his honest caring personality, always putting others first. He will be greatly missed.
Jim is survived by his wife Marge; daughters, Julia and Natalie Canfield; son, John Haggerty; sister, Linda Wileachowski; grandchildren, Taylor, Daniel and Kristen Haggerty; niece, Mary Nelson; nephew, Thomas Wileachowski; and many in the community who called Jim “friend.”
Visitation will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Montville Funeral Home of Church & Allen, 53 Norwich-New London Tnpk., Uncasville, with a Memorial Service and Celebration of Jim’s Life at 3 p.m., concluding with Military Honors rendered at the funeral home. Burial is private at the convenience of the family.
Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to Smilow (Yale) Hospital Cancer Center at www.closertofree.com, or Office of Development, Yale-New Haven Hospital, PO Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508-9979.
To leave a condolence or share a memory, please visit www.montvillefuneralhome.com
Stonington — James Bernard Donald, 79, a longtime resident of Stonington, died Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, at Avalon Healthcare in Mystic. He is survived by his loving wife, Irene F. Donald.
Jim was born on June 8, 1938, in Worcester, Mass., the son of James H. and Gunhild (Benson) Donald. He was a graduate of Lowell Institute of Technology (UMass-Lowell) where he majored in electrical engineering. He completed his graduate work at URI MIT/Slone School. Jim was employed for 41 years at the Naval Underwater Warfare Center-Sound Lab in New London and Newport, R.I., retiring as chief engineer in 2004.
He enjoyed gardening, and was an avid fisherman, clammer, and loved boating. He was a member of the Congregational Church of North Stonington, as well as a member of the Mason’s Coastal Lodge #57.
In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his three daughters, Christine Miller and her husband Braeden, Lauren Crowl and her husband Brian, and Kathryn Stanley and her husband David; as well as grandchildren, Halle Miller, Henry and Sam Crowl, and Elizabeth Stanley. He is also survived by three stepsons, Edward and his wife Alcina, Fred and his wife Heather, and John Fronczek; and stepgrandchildren, Monica, Erickson and Alyson Fronczek.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the North Stonington Congregational Church, 89 Main St., North Stonington. Burial will be private for the family.
Donations in his memory may be made to the North Stonington Congregational Church.
The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic, is assisting the family.