James L. “Smokey” Moak, 79, of Ocala, Florida, formerly of Branford, died at Sylvia’s Hospice House in Ocala, Florida, after a long illness.  He was the loving husband of Lisa Larkin Moak. Jim was born in Enfield on April 18, 1933, son of the late Thomas H. and Katherine Hayden Moak.  He had served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Europe from 1953 to 1955.  He had also worked as a truck driver for Yellow Freight and owned his own trucking company for some time.  He loved being on the road and talked about all the beautiful places he visited.  Jim was also the former owner of Cindi Ellen’s Café in Branford with his late daughter, Cindi Ellen Mannix, who predeceased him in 2010. 

Smokey married his beloved wife, Lisa Larkin Moak, on Oct. 4, 1993 in Branford and they moved to Ocala, Florida, in the summer of 2000.  Smokey adored his two children from this union more than life itself, Kaelyn and Hayden. 

Along with his family, Jim’s greatest accomplishment was his faith in Jesus Christ. Jim never met a stranger, and those who met him had a friend for life.  Jim also enjoyed his annual golfing trip with his friends to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and his favorite pastimes were enjoying the beach and spending time with his friends and family.  He was a kindhearted gentleman who loved life and will be greatly missed.

Jim’s family expresses their love and gratitude for the wonderful care Jim received at Sylvia’s House.

Besides his wife and their two children, he is also survived by his four children from his previous marriage to Lorraine Patti; Dawne Pincince of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Gail Flores and her husband Hector of Branford, and Roxann McKenzie and her husband Jay of Northford.  In addition, he is survived by five grandchildren, Harley Cole, Nicole Flores, Chelsea Pincince, Beau Cole, Tyler McKenzie, and Glendina Flores; his sister, Rita Snow of Holiday, Florida; his in-laws, Paul and Brenda Patterson of Fitzgerald, Georgia; his niece, Cheryl Thompson; and three nephews, Thomas Moak, Garry Snow, and Joseph Snow and his wife Barbara.  He will also be missed greatly by his beloved dog Fritz. Besides his daughter, he was predeceased his brother, Thomas Moak; two sisters, Katherine Moak and Mary Gonzalez; two nieces, Renee O’Connor and Lorraine Torruellas; and one nephew, Kurt Moak.  

A mass of Christian burial was held on Dec. 10 at St. Mary Church in Branford. Burial was in Beaverdale Memorial Park in New Haven. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of Marion County, 3231 SW 34th Ave., Ocala, FL 34474.  The W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, Branford, was in charge of arrangements.  For directions and online memorial see www.wsclancy.com.