Obituaries
Obituary: Charles James, 97, Fairfield Resident, WWII Vet
Friends may greet his family on Wednesday from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. in the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center.
[Editor's note: Obituary provided by Lesko & Polke Funeral Home.]
Charles A. James, age 97, devoted husband to Rita McDonough James, of Fairfield, passed away peacefully in Milford on May 18, 2013.
In addition to Rita, his beloved wife of 70 years, he will be remembered by his daughter, Charlene Benoit, and her husband, Robert, of Milford; his grandchildren, Jamie Benoit, and his wife, Gwen, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Katie Cardoso, and her husband, Rafael, of Milford, Will Benoit, and his fiance', Katie Makes, of Milford; three cherished great grandchildren, Kai and Rory Benoit, Mae Cardoso; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Barry James, and sister, Abbie Herchick.
Born in Bridgeport to the late Charles M. and Agnes Healey James, Charles was a lifelong resident of Fairfield. A World War II Army Veteran, he served in Italy and was the recipient of the American Campaign, EAME Service, Good Conduct, and Victory Medals. Charles was a retired 30 years letter carrier for the US Postal Service and continued work for additional five years at Fairfield University. He was a Past President of the Fairfield University Retirees Association and had been the oldest Past Commodore of Fayerweather Yacht Club.
His family shared a long history of life saving that has past down through the generations, and recently honored by the naming of a new United States Coast Guard Cutter. Along with his late son, Barry, Charles was an avid fan of Yale Football and especially looked forward to tailgating before the Harvard game. A fan of the Big Band Era, Charles and Rita enjoyed many nights out dancing at the Ritz Ballroom.
Friends may greet his family on Wednesday from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. in the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center. Funeral services will be held on Thursday 9:15 a.m. in the funeral home, and 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Church, Fairfield. Interment will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery with military honor.
His family would prefer memorial contributions may be directed to Yale-Smilow Cancer Center, 333 Cedar Street, PO Box 208028, New Haven, CT 06520.
To order flowers online, find travel directions, or to sign his guest register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com
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