James Staunton
Niantic — James “Jimmy” Staunton of Niantic, formerly of West Hartford, passed away peacefully Christmas Day surrounded by his family. Jimmy was born in Dunmore, Co. Galway, Ireland Feb. 6, 1935, and immigrated to the USA July 9, 1954.
He was predeceased by his parents, Patrick and Bridget (Mullarkey) Staunton; sister Mary; and brothers, Francis, Patrick and Thomas.
Jimmy was a member of Local 43 Connecticut Carpenter’s Union. He worked for First National Stores before starting his own business “Staunton Home Improvements” in West Hartford until his retirement in 1998. Jimmy served on the St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Council and Home School Association in West Hartford, President and Life Member of the Irish American Home Society in Glastonbury, Chairman of the Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, and member of the Hartford Gaelic Football Club, the Bogtrotters Golf Club, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus.
Jimmy played Gaelic football in Hartford and in New York for the Sligo and Galway teams. One of his greatest honors was receiving his 1952 “All Ireland” football medal in Ireland in 2007 with his wife, family and former teammates all there for the ceremony. Jimmy was a man who could fix or build anything and was always eager to help his family or a neighbor at a moment’s notice. His home was always open with a “Cead Mile Failte” to everyone, he loved to share a drink and smile.
He is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 61 years, Kathleen; children, Eileen, New York, Kathleen, West Hartford, Brigid (Frank) Niantic, James (Catherine), Clinton and John (Molly), Bloomfield; and his adoring grandchildren, Mary Kate, Seamus, Aidan, Nora, John (Boomer), Maeve, Victoria, Caitlin and Gavin; sisters Bridget Moran, Mary Staunton, and Bernie Reilly-Duffy, West Hartford, Kitty Gorman, Killarney, Ireland, and Anne Staunton-Rahi, Brussels, Belgium; brother Vincent (Susan) Staunton, West Hartford; sister-in-law Maureen Staunton, Windsor; and many adored nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, with the celebration of his Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 872 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. Burial will be private. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to CT Children’s Medical Center, 282 Washington St., Hartford, CT 06106. Directions and online expressions of sympathy may be made at www. molloyfuneralhome.com.