Obituary: James Brian Digney, 74, Of Westport

Information via Magner Funeral Home

James Brian Digney, 74, of Westport, CT, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 8, 2021. Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Lynbrook and Rockville Centre, NY, the son of the late James C. and Ruth (Huberty) Digney, he was the beloved husband of Elizabeth (McGowan) Digney for 51 years.

Jim was a founding member of Abbey Road Advisors, a private real estate investment firm based in Fairfield, CT. Prior to that, Jim retired as Senior Vice President in charge of MetLife's Real Estate Investments in 2001, completing a 30-year career with MetLife that began in Oak Brook, IL and eventually brought him and his family back to the New York metropolitan area.

Jim served two years in the United States Army, including a tour of duty in Vietnam where he earned three Bronze Star Medals as a staff sergeant. Jim was part of the 25th Infantry Division (nicknamed "Tropic Lightning") based in Cu Chi in South Vietnam, and participated in some of the toughest battles of the war in 1968 and 1969, including the Tet Offensive.

Jim graduated from St. John’s University in New York in 1972, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude. In 1987, he completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard University School of Business. Jim is a former Director of Urban Shopping Centers, Inc., Governor and member of the Executive Committee of the Real Estate Board of New York, the Realty Foundation of New York and the Community Preservation Corporation.

Jim had a passion for music and merrymaking; he was a lifelong fan of Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits. He absolutely loved going to the beach, with his two favorites being Surfside Beach in Nantucket, MA and Wiggins Beach in Naples, FL. To get his adrenaline pumping, he could often be found tooling around in his cherished 1980 MGB convertible, or out on the water for a quick boat ride. He also enjoyed staying in touch with his Irish roots, and was a proud member of the Gaelic-American Club of Fairfield.

Jim had a warm smile and a huge heart, and his proudest achievement by far was his family. In recent years he found tremendous joy and fulfillment in his role as grandpa.

In addition to his loving wife Elizabeth, Jim is survived by their three children; daughter Christina and husband Brian Earle, son James and wife Jennifer Digney, and daughter Jessica and husband Jeffrey Horner; six beloved grandchildren Mason, Hunter, Emerson, Jack, Sloane and Faye; as well as his sister Anne Cinque and other loving relatives. He was predeceased by his sister Ruth Ryan and brother Dennis Digney.

Jim will be missed dearly, though he will live on in our hearts forever. To send condolences to his family, please visit: www.magnerfuneralhome.com.