James S. Laird

James S. Laird, 86, husband of Doris (Pearson) Laird, of Ridge Road, Newtown, died December 9 in Ashlar of Newtown, after a long illness.

Jim was born in Hartford on November 10, 1918, a son of the late John and Charlotte (Jones) Laird.

He served in the US Army during World War II with the 77th Infantry in the South Pacific.

Jim’s working career included sales manager responsibilities with the Sealtest organization in upstate New York. Later, he was manager of sales training and development, Eastern sales manager for the Pepperidge Farm Company in Norwalk.

He lived in Newtown since 1963.

Additionally, he was a part-time resident of Rupert, Vt., where he owned a camp since 1954 and where many happy family occasions were spent.

Jim was a member of the Newtown Congregational Church where he was church moderator and chairman of the board of trustees. He was a past president of Newtown Housing for the Elderly and an active member of the Masonic fraternity and the Shriners. He was past president of the Newtown Horticulture Club.

Besides his wife, Jim is survived by a brother, Russell T. Laird of Avon; sister-in-law, Arline F. Laird; and five nephews and their wives, John and Meera Laird, Thomas and Corinne Laird, James and Lynn Laird, Enos and Laura Stevens, Jr, and Russell and Mary Stevens.

A memorial service will be held at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, Newtown, on Saturday, December 18, at 2 pm. There are no calling hours.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield MA 01104, or to Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, Newtown CT 06470, or to Ashlar of Newtown, PO Box 5505, Newtown CT 06470.

Arrangements are by Honan Funeral Home at 58 Main Street, Newtown.

The Newtown Bee      December 17, 2004