James C. Gies

Longtime Resident Was Active In Community

James C. Gies, 79, of Newtown, died January 31, at his home, from pancreatic cancer. He was born in Bridgeport, May 14, 1932, a son of Emma (Collins) and Arthur J. Gies. Mr Gies was the husband of Carolyn (Nash) Gies.

He attended Newtown, Wooster, and Bassick High Schools, and the University of Bridgeport. Mr Gies served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict.

He worked in the alarm systems industry for 30 years and attended several factory schools. During his career, he was a troubleshooter and a manager for both sales and service, retiring as a project manager.

A former 51-year Newtown resident, he recently returned after a 16-year hiatus in Wakefield, R.I. He was active in both communities. In Newtown, he was a deacon and Sunday school teacher at the Newtown Congregational Church, charter member of the Newtown Jaycees, warden of the Borough of Newtown, and fire commissioner and life member of Newtown Hook & Ladder.

In Wakefield, he was a ten-year member of the Zoning Board of Review, a three-year member of the Board of Assessors Review, and volunteered at South County Hospital.

In addition to his wife of 56 years, three sons, Steve and Tim Gies of Newtown and Jim Gies of Oxford; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren survive him.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 11, at 11 am, in the Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street, Newtown.

Memorial donations may be made to Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western Connecticut, 405 Main Street, Danbury CT 06810 or at regionalhospicect.org.

The Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, is serving the family.

The Newtown Bee        February 3, 2012