James "Jim" Boughton, 97, formerly of Newtown, died May 26. He was born on the cusp of the Roaring Twenties in December of 1919, in New York City. His father James P. was a dynamo tender for Macy's and his mother Mary Alice Grady had worked for John Jacob Astor IV when the Titanic sank.

Mr Boughton, along with his older sister Mary and younger sister Elizabeth, moved to Teaneck. N.J., 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, N.Y. 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, N.Y., and had their three children, Kathryn Anne, James Carver, and Patricia Susan. Mr Boughton was active in his parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and worked in New York City 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 marry Barbara Woods and lived in Scarsdale until she developed dementia. They moved to The Homestead At 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 and their spouses, Kathy and Jimmy Legere, Patty and Chris Bernard, and Jimmy and Juie Mowatt; grandchildren Jason D'Ambrosio and wife Nina Ruiz, Brian D'Ambrosio, David Bernard and wife Barbara Ellis, Matthew Bernard and wife Joanna Czekajewski; and great-grandchildren survive him.

As age crept up on him and his vision failed, he at first had help at his home by Megan Maruzo. She was hired to help him out with his daily chores, but became a good and loyal friend.

Mr Boughton again moved, this time to Pomperaug Woods, where he was met with some of the most caring, kind people one would hope to meet. His loved ones say it was there on 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.

A celebration of his life will be on Friday, June 2, at 11 am, with a Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main Street South, Southbury. There will be an hour before the Mass to pay respects to Mr Boughton in the chapel of the same church.

Memorial donations can be made to one's favorite charity.

Arrangements by Carpino Funeral Home, Southbury.