GARTHWAIT, JAMES JOSEPH

James Joseph Garthwait died unexpectedly on Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He was 76 years old. He was born and raised in Waterbury, Connecticut and had lived in Milford Connecticut until 2010 when he retired from Cytec Industries in Stamford, Ct. and relocated to New Mexico. Shortly after arriving in Las Cruces, he became established in the Museum Foundation and served as Vice President for a period of time. He was a life long learner and received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Southern Connecticut University and at the time of his death, was pursuing a Certificate in Museum Studies from New Mexico State University. Besides his love of the Southwest landscape, he enjoyed hiking and walking in the area, he also enjoyed riding his motorcycle and driving his sports car. His interests included history, photography, reading, handwriting analysis, health, and physical fitness and travel. He was a communicant of Basilica San Albino Catholic Church in Old Mesilla, NM. He maintained close contact with his family back east. He is survived by one brother Alan Garthwait (Susan) of Morris Ct. and three sisters; Joan Glenn of Southbury Ct., Carolyn Sweeney (Michael) of Madison Ct., and Mary-Ann Burr (Thaddeus) of Southbury, Ct. He is also survived by his ex-wife Evelyn Garthwait of Charleston S.C., with whom he maintained a close relationship. He developed many new friendships in Las Cruces especially those volunteers associated with the Museum Foundation. He is survived also by many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Earl and Caroline (Caulfield) Garthwait and two brothers, Earl and Gary Garthwait. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Church in Prospect Ct. on Saturday, August 25, 2018, at 10 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Roadrunner Food Bank, 505 S. Main Street, Las Cruces, NM 88011 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Judes Place, Memphis, TN. 38105