James "Jim" H. Fish, Jr.

James H. Fish, Jr. passed away on Friday, October 9, 2020, after a brief battle with an aggressive form of cancer. He was 80.

Jim was born on March 5, 1940, in Trenton, New Jersey. He is Veteran of the U.S. Navy and he served during the late 50s and early 60s. After serving his country, Jim worked a variety of jobs over the years to ensure he always provided for his family.  Whether as a service technician for Sears & Roebuck, a bakery delivery man, a chicken farmer, a dairy farmer, or a self-employed carpenter, he always gave 110% to any job he undertook. He was extremely proud of each of his children and loved spending time with each of them as well as his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  

He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Carol, and made many trips visiting the Bahamas, Cape Cod, Vermont, New Jersey, Las Vegas and Virginia during the 30 years they were married.

If you asked a hundred people who James Fish was, they would all give you a different story. A gifted carpenter. An avid gardener. A crafted whittler. A collector of toothpick holders. A dreamer. A beach walker. A kite flyer. A flea market shopper. A car enthusiast. A caring husband. A loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. A close friend. A wonderful “big” brother. A great brother-in-law. Jim may have been all of these, but he may always be best known for his knack for telling stories. Regardless of the occasion, he always had a story to tell. His passing will affect those that knew and loved him differently, but as you sit and remember Jim, keep telling stories. It is our stories that connect and unite us. It is through our stories that our loving memories of Jim lives on. 

In addition to his wife Carol (Lawrence), Jim is survived by his four children Kenneth and his wife, Eileen Fish of Sugar Hill, Georgia; Laura and her husband, James Kelly of Glastonbury, Connecticut; Melanie and her husband, Anthony Savino of Andover, Connecticut; and Carrie Tabor of Chaplin, Connecticut. He is also survived by his sisters Carol and her husband, Joseph Nicastro of Watchung, New Jersey and Phyllis Engel of Manchester, Connecticut as well as his seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, James H. Fish Sr. and Verna (Worrell) Fish and his sister Lois Mae Fish. 

Jim’s calling hours will be held at Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. Willimantic, CT 06226 on Saturday, October 17, 2020 from 12:30pm to 2:00pm.  The family will be there to welcome friends and relatives.  For those wishing to sign an online guestbook and view the memorial service, it will be streamed live at www.potterfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to the American Cancer Society at: www.cancer.org, or the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 26, Columbia, CT 06237.

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