Carleton P. James

Carleton Paton "Carlie" James Jan. 27, 1924 to Nov. 5, 2003 Carleton P. James, 79, of Willimantic, died Wednesday, November 5, 2003 in Windham. He was born in Willimantic on Jan. 27, 1924, the son of the late Harold L. and Ruth Paton James. Those who knew Carlie saw how much courage he displayed over many years while his body was being consumed by several neurological diseases that sapped his strength and personality. Carlie attended Windham High School where he lettered in basketball for three years. In his senior year, Windham won the Class A State Basketball Championships. The team picture is displayed in the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA. He went on to Willimantic State Teachers College where he continued playing basketball. He left college to serve in World War 2 in the United States Navy Air Corps. He served on PBY Catalinas in the South Pacific Theater. Carlie attended the University of Hartford and the University of Connecticut. He then pursued a career with Southern New England Telephone as a supervisor of cable and line with the company. He loved to spend some of his time at his summer home on Cape Cod. Carlie was a member of the Telephone Pioneers Foundation and a lifetime member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. When you think of Carlie, smile because he was a very special person in many ways. He certainly will remain in the hearts of all of us who were fortunate to know him. He applied his skills and talents to making life better for others. Carlie leaves this world a little bit better than he found it. His accomplishments were many. He leaves his wife, Teresa H. (Lemieux) James; a son, Scott H. James and his wife Doreen of Columbia; a daughter Carlene L. Zbirkowski and her husband Mark of Woodinville, WA, 3 grandchildren; Joshua James of Willimantic, Jessica Zbirkowski of Cambridge, MA, and Jeffrey Zbirkowski of Woodinville, WA; a great grandson; Joshua James Jr. of Willimantic, two brothers; Kenneth James of Willimantic and Gordon James of Mansfield. The family wishes to thank all the staff at St. Joseph's Living Center for all the care and support they have given. A memorial mass will be held at St. Mary's Church, Valley St. Willimantic on Saturday, November 8th at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Mary Church Repair Fund, 80 Maple Ave., Willimantic, CT. 06226. Arrangements through the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic. Please visit at www.potterfh.com for online expressions of sympathy.