Obituary: James A. Boughton, 97, of Southbury

Information via Carpino Funeral Home, Southbury

James Boughton - Gentleman Jim…that’s the epithet that best described our father. Whomever we spoke to, the remarks would always start with, “Oh, Jim Boughton? He is such a gentleman!” And he was: dapper, congenial, unassuming and courteous. He was born on the cusp of the roaring twenties, December 1919, in New York City.

His father, James P. was a dynamo tender for Macy’s, when they made their own power. His mother, Mary Alice Grady, had worked for JJ Astor when the Titanic sank. He, along with his older sister Mary and younger sister Elizabeth called Betty, moved to Teaneck New Jersey where his parents purchased a house. When the war began he enlisted as a Navy aviator. He was stationed in Alaska, but before he left the East Coast, he married Florence Carver of Eastchester NY. Together they journeyed across the country, before our modern highway system, and settled in Seattle.

He would fly a Douglas C-47/ R4D from Alaska to various bases on the Pacific coast. When the war was over the young couple started a family and moved to Scarsdale, NY. They had 3 children, Kathryn Anne, James Carver and Patricia Susan-baby-boomers all. Jim was active in his parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and worked in NYC in the garment district. Tragedy struck when Florence developed breast cancer that would ultimately end this love affair just short of their 25th anniversary.

He went on to remarry Barbara Woods and lived in Scarsdale until she developed dementia. They moved to The Homestead in Newtown so that Barbara could be better cared for. When she passed away, he moved to Heritage Village in Southbury where he began a new chapter in his life. He made new friends and enjoyed many of the activities Heritage had to offer. His children married, Kathy to Jimmy Legere, Patty to Chris Bernard and Jimmy to Juie Mowatt. Kathy provided him with his first grandson, Jason D’Ambrosio, and second, Brian D’Ambrosio. Jason married Nina Ruiz and they had Alessia D’Ambrosio, great granddaughter number 2. Patty also had two boys, David Bernard and Matthew Bernard. Matthew married Joanna Czekajewski and they produced great granddaughter number one-Grace and great grandson number two, Henry.

David married Barbara Ellis and little Leo was born, great grandson number one! As age crept up on him and his vision failed, he at first had help at his home. Megan Maruzo came into his life. She was hired to help him out with his daily chores, but became a good and loyal friend. His life would have been much poorer without Megan.

He again moved, this time to Pomperaug Woods, where he was met with some of the most caring, kind people one would hope to meet. There are too many people to mention, but if there are angels on Earth, they work at Pomperaug! It was there on Friday May 26, after enjoying a milkshake and a chat with his aides, he fell asleep for the last time and joined his beloved Flossie and the arms of Our Lord.

Arrangements by Carpino Funeral Home, Southbury. Please, in lieu of flowers, contribute to your favorite charity. That would make Jim happy!