James Pirie Davidson III

JAMES PIRIE DAVIDSON III (“JIM”) died at his home in Colebrook on July 30, 2021 while surrounded by his family.

Jim was born on July 12, 1955 to James P. and Helen Sattler Davidson. He grew up in Colebrook, attended the Colebrook School, and graduated from Northwestern Regional 7 High School in Winsted in 1973. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University in 1977. Jim owned Mountain Spirits Liquor in Norfolk for 30 years. After he sold the business in 2015, he joined the staff of Yale University’s summer school of music and art who cared for the Ellen Battell Stoeckel Estate in Norfolk.

Jim began coaching varsity baseball at Northwestern Regional High School in 2003 and remained in that position for eighteen years, including this past season. Jim’s Northwestern teams won Berkshire League titles this year and in eight prior seasons. In 2013, forty years after the team reached the state finals for the first time during Jim’s senior year at Northwestern, the team vied for the State Class M Championship for the second time in the school’s history. Northwestern reached the Class M state finals again in 2016 and during this past baseball season. On June 12, 2021, Jim coached what would be his final game.

Jim’s love for his family surpassed his love of baseball. He was predeceased by his wife, Karen Satherlie. Jim leaves his sons, James

P. Davidson IV (“Mo”) and Christopher K. Davidson, a daughter-in-law, Kelsey, a daughter Kaley A., a brother Robert W. and his wife Cynthia, sisters Jane D. Montori and Kelly D. Sartori and triplet grandchildren, James P. Davidson V, Isla K. Davidson, and Shea M. Davidson. He also leaves an aunt, Mildred S. Barry of Jacksonville, FL, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Jim’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses Kathy and Abby, and the other angels at the Smilow Cancer Center in Torrington, as well as Kim and Linda of the VNA of Litchfield County for their care of Jim and the family.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 12:00 noon at Maasser Park, Route 44, Colebrook, with a reception to follow. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jim’s memory to “Regional School District 7,” c/o Judith Palmer, 100 Battistoni Drive, Winsted, CT 06098.