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James Ready

James L. “Jim” Ready, 77, of Chester, passed away peacefully on Friday evening, Nov. 17, 2023, at the Gladeview Health Care Center in Old Saybrook with his beloved wife Marie by his side, following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia.

Following high school graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, serving in Vietnam for one year. In addition to serving his country from 1966-’68, he also served in the Connecticut National Guard for 18 years. He was a life member of the VFW and American Legion. Jim was employed by Chesebrough Ponds for over 25 years, followed by working at Genco and Tower Laboratories until his retirement.

Marie and Jim were married on Nov. 10, 1990, recently celebrating their 33rd anniversary. He was a person of many interests and over the years pursued new activities, including playing bridge, art school, the theater, taking piano lessons, walking with his friends at Chatfield Hollow no matter what the temperature was, train travel, and travel to other countries. He loved going to see plays no matter what they were. This interest in theater lead to his being active with the Meeting House Players in Chester as stage crew, house manager, and more than once performing on stage—notably his role as Mr. Kimber in George Washington Slept Here.

Jim was a member of the United Church of Chester and had many wonderful times at church activities, especially peeling potatoes and cooking carrots for the pot roast dinners. He served as a mentor for the youth group and was also a deacon. You could always count on him to make coffee on Sunday mornings. As a result of being at church, he started volunteering at the Chester Meal Site of the Shoreline Kitchen & Pantries. In addition to helping with serving meals for many years, he served as site coordinator. With Marie, he traveled all over the United States by train, meticulously planning the trips, so all the connections would be made. They took every Amtrak route at the time. For several years, he was a Friend of Bill’s, and was a listening ear to so many. He cared so much for others.

Besides his wife, he leaves behind his sisters, Christine Hockert and her husband Alan of Tennessee, Billie Hayner and her husband John of Chester, and Eleanor LaPlace and Linda Hatzykiriazis both of Old Saybrook, plus many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Marie’s son, Richard Roth and his wife Jennifer. He was “Papa Jim” to Robert and Anne Roth.

Visitation was held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26, at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 27, at the United Church of Chester, 29 West Main Street in Chester. Burial with the rending of military honors followed in the State Veterans Cemetery, Bow Lane in Middletown.

Marie would like to thank and express her deep appreciation to all the staff at Gladeview Health Care, especially to those on the third floor where Jim resided. A special thank you, too, to all his caregivers at Home Care Plus Community Health Care and Hospice of Guilford and to the staff at West Haven VA Medical Center who helped Jim over the course of his illness.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jim’s name may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741; the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road, S. W. Lilburn, GA 30047; or to a charity of your choice.