Granby Obituary: James Towey, Sr., 76

James Patrick Towey, Sr., 76, of West Granby, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2017.

Jim was born in Newark, NJ on August 5, 1941. He received his B.S. of Electrical Engineering from the Newark College of Engineering (now NJIT) and later a M.S. of Electrical Engineering from UConn.

He married Charlotte, his beloved wife of 53 years in 1964. He took great pride in personally building their family homestead on a wooded lot on a brook with a pond in West Granby, where they raised four boys. He always cherished this property and the solitude he gained from sitting by his pond, watching the brook and the nature around him. He continued for much of his life improving all aspects of the property.

He was equally as proud of his over 30 years working for Hamilton Standard and of his electrical design team. He was awarded the George Mead Medal for Engineering Achievement for leading the design of the first successful engine mounted digital jet engine control which paved the way for the transition to electronic engine controls flying on commercial and military planes for many years. He was later inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni at UConn.

Jim valued hard work and enjoyed competition in all aspects of his life, whether it be car rallying, speed skating, softball, pool, darts, running, whitewater or cheering for his New York Yankees. He was a voracious reader and attributed his successes in life to the books he read as a young teenager. He was passionate about collecting and republishing mid-20th century Young Adult book series such as Ken Holt, Tom Swift and the Hardy Boys to preserve them for future generations.

He was most proud of the family he leaves behind; his beloved wife Charlotte; his son James and his wife Cindy, and grandchildren Andrew, Kristen and Kaitlyn; his son Michael and his wife Rosa, and granddaughter Hope; son Peter and his wife Debbie and grandchildren Eli, Delaney and Catherine; son John and his wife Dannielle and grandchildren Mason and Eliza.

His family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 24 from 4 PM to 6 PM at the Hayes Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook St. Granby. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, October 25 at St. Therese Church, 120 West Granby Rd, Granby.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Lost Acres Fire Department, PO Box 71, North Granby, CT 06060 and Granby Ambulance Association, PO Box 617, Granby, CT 06035.