Obituary: Major James E. “Jim” Darby, Jr., 87, of North Branford

Obituary courtesy of W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home:

Major James E. “Jim” Darby, Jr. (Connecticut State Police – Retired) died Monday July 19, 2021 at his home in North Branford, with family by his side.

Jim was born May 10, 1934 in Everett, MA, son of the late James E. and Mary Moran Darby. The family moved to Quincy, and then to Norwalk, after which they settled in West Haven. Jim's father managed the Paramount Theater in New Haven, which is where Jim developed a love for the theater – not just the performances, but the carpenters, the riggers, the gaffers, and the building itself. Years later, when he needed to relax, he would close his eyes and take a walk through the theater, climbing to the catwalks and walking through the rigging, in his mind. Growing up in West Haven, Jim was mentored by his dear friend Bill Murphy, of the West Haven Police Department. It was Bill, New Haven Police Supernumerary Officer Jack Lynch, and others who instilled in him the desire to become a police officer. He joined the New Haven P.D. in 1956, where he served for about a year, until he was called by Uncle Sam. He enlisted in the Army as a military police officer, where he had to endure difficult billets in such places as hotels in downtown Paris and Copenhagen. Following three years in the Army, Jim returned to the New Haven Police Department. While working as a patrolman, he met Jane Beardsley, a registered nurse at Yale New Haven Hospital. He brought her donuts on a midnight shift and, as he has said for decades, he's been feeding her ever since. After marrying Jane and starting a family in 1963, Jim joined the Connecticut State Police in 1964. He held numerous positions, the most memorable of which were as a detective with the Organized Crime and Major Crime units. He retired as Commander of the Western District, at the rank of Major, in 1992. During retirement (which included multiple additional short-term assignments with the State Police) his favorite past-times have been spending time with his grandchildren and telling stories about the good old days.

Besides Jane, Jim is survived by his children: James E. (Carrie) Darby III, Mary Rose Darby, William R. (Darcy) Darby, and Sean P. (Claudine) Darby; his grandchildren: Jessica, James IV, Marco, Emily, Sarah, Stephanie, Jennifer, Megan, Nicholas, Connor and Caitlyn; and his great-grandchildren: Lucas and Adalyn. He was predeceased by his granddaughter Josephine, his brother John H. Darby, his sister Rosemary Slattery, and several dear friends whom he would consider to be brothers.

The family would like to thank Connecticut Hospice, as well as Companions and Homemakers, for the wonderful care that Jim received.

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation on Friday, August 6, 2021 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford. Friends and relatives will also be received at the funeral home from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 7, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Ambrose Parish at St. Augustine Church, 30 Caputo Road, North Branford. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 700 Middletown Avenue, North Haven.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation @ t2t.org.