James P. “Jim” McAuliffe formerly of Stamford, Connecticut, passed away peacefully in his Springfield, Massachusetts home on January 14, 2018. He was ninety-one. Ann Williams McAuliffe, his loving wife of sixty-four years, preceded Jim into eternal life. They were both Stamford natives and residents for eighty-years before moving to Springfield.
Jim was born in Stamford on March 24th, 1926 to Patrick and Margaret McAuliffe, both Irish immigrants. Jim grew up on Oscar Street in Glenbrook with his brothers Patrick and Thomas and sister Betty.
Jim attended JA Stark school and at a young age began working at Caroll McAuliffe’s Grocery store part owned and operated by his older brother Pat. During his junior year at Stamford High School he volunteered for World War II and served in the Navy in the Pacific Theater. He was stationed in New Guinea, Indonesia and at a Naval outpost on Pulau Morotai Island from 1943-45, during which he was awarded four medals. Always a strong and graceful swimmer he served as a swimming instructor for his fellow Navy mates. Throughout his life, Jim remained a proud Navy Veteran always sporting his signature Navy ball cap.
After the war, Jim returned to Stamford and secured his master electrician license while working at Conde Nast in Old Greenwich and then Edward Czescik Electrical Company in Stamford. He joined the Stamford Fire Department where he served as a driver/engineer for forty years at the Westside Fire House. After retiring from the Fire Department, Jim continued his electrical contractor work until his retirement in 1996. In 2001, he was proudly awarded his high school diploma in a special ceremony at Stamford High School for World War II veterans.
Jim was respected for his friendly demeanor and quiet comportment and his point of view was admired for its honesty and graceful expression. He was a hardworking and dedicated husband and father, a skilled craftsman always willing to lend a friend a helping hand and along with his Fire Department brethren his courage was tested and never questioned.
Jim was a licensed recreational pilot of small aircraft and seaplanes. As a former Navy man, his love for the sea bought he and Ann to Shippan Point where they raised their family while he pursued his love of boating on Long Island Sound. He was a life time member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Ponus Yacht Club and Halloween Yacht Club where he volunteered his electrical skills for the facility and its membership. In his later years, his love for the sea found him sailing and cursing the waters of Block Island, Nantucket and Vineyard Sounds and Chatham’s Pleasant Bay with his children and grandchildren.
His son Douglas J. McAuliffe of Great Falls, Virginia and his daughter Anne M. Grace of West Brookfield, Massachusetts, survive him. Jim devoted much of his retirement to his two children and their families including his son-in-law Dr. Kevin P. Grace, his daughter-in-law Ingrid B. McAuliffe, his beloved four grandchildren, Madlyn, Chloe, Connor James and Ryley and his many nieces and nephews.
The family plans a ceremonial Mass in Stamford on March 24th at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 1200 Shippan Avenue, at 11:00AM, to be followed by a gathering of family and friends. Arrangements for interment are being made by J. Henri Morin & Sons Funeral Home, 23 Maple Terrace, Spencer, Ma. www.morinfuneralhomes.com
Memorial contributions are welcome in Jim’s name to the Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society, www.nmcrs.org.