James Irving Miner

James Irving Miner, 81, of North Franklin, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Born on February 17, 1944, in Princeton, NJ. Jim was the son of the late Denison W. Miner, Sr. and Gusty (Manning) Miner. The family moved from New Jersey to Charlestown, NH and then returned to their roots in North Franklin in 1956.

Jim graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1962 and then attended University of Connecticut as a forestry major. He spent the summer of 1963 in the Bitterroot National Forest as a fire lookout. Jim was set to return to Montana as a forest ranger after his sophomore year but with the onset of the Vietnam War, Jim volunteered to serve his country. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1964 to 1967. After honorable discharge at the rank of Sergeant, he returned to North Franklin and joined the Connecticut State Police in 1971.

In 1976 he married Marjorie (Kahn) Miner. And though it wasn’t necessarily an express route from 8th grade dance partners to husband and wife, the family loves to share the stories of the many memorable stops along the way. Together they settled in North Franklin, where they welcomed their son Josh and daughter Tori. And through 49 years of marriage, they lived a life full of love, laughter, and the very best of banter – much of it spent in the old white farmhouse where Marge first saw Jim ride his bike by in 1956.

Jim retired from the Connecticut State Police as a member of the Major Crime Squad, Eastern District, in 1992. Following his retirement, he served as the Director of Campus Safety at Connecticut College. After retiring from Connecticut College, Jim and Marge spent their winters in Sarasota, Florida where he enjoyed working at Baltimore Orioles Spring Training.

Jim loved the outdoors. He spent much of his time at his favorite places by the water and in the woods across New England including Matunuck, Rhode Island; Bethel, Vermont; and the Moosehead Lake region in Maine.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Marge Miner; son Josh and wife Jeanna; daughter Tori and husband Kevin Flaherty; his 5 grandchildren Sophie, Cash, Hudson, Seamus and Rory; brother Denison Miner, Jr; sister Grace Wettemann and Dr. Robert Wettemann, Sr.; brother Alden Miner and Linda Miner; nieces, nephews and numerous extended family members and friends.

Jim’s family would also like to acknowledge the wonderful care of the Lawrence & Memorial oncology nurses - their kindness, commitment and empathy was unparalleled.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 2, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street, Willimantic, CT. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at his home on Saturday, October 4 at 2PM. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.