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James Tatro Obituary
He was 74. Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He leaves behind a legacy of strength, of character, compassion towards others, and excellence in academic pursuit.
He was predeceased by his parents, Genevieve (Gurka) St. Amand and Oris A. Tatro. In addition to his wife, he is survived by five children, Lance Tatro, and his wife, Naween Khan; Linda Buckland; Jamey Tatro, and his wife, Christine; Paul Tatro, and his wife, Jessica; Philip Tatro, and his partner, Max Talley; three grandchildren, Michael Buckland, Ryan Buckland, and Zane Tatro; and one sibling, Edward Tatro.
Jim was born in Hartford on Oct. 4, 1936. A longtime resident of Manchester, he graduated from Manchester High School in 1954. Jim received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University in 1958. Jim devoted his professional life to the education of others and pursuit of a better and more equitable education system. As a lover of history, he taught for many years at the high school and collegiate level and was recognized as an inspiration to students. Jim was a pioneer of the community college system. He worked tirelessly at Manchester Community College since its inception in 1963, where he established the Community Services Division and served as its dean. Jim was a passionate believer that everyone should have the opportunity for higher education and was respected in the academic community for his forward thinking. Jim was active in Manchester affairs and served for several years as a member of the town Planning and Zoning Commission and Manchester Scholarship Foundation. He loved playing bridge and was an avid baseball fan and memorabilia collector.
Calling hours are Tuesday, Aug. 9 from 4 to 8 p.m. at John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center St., Manchester.
A mass celebrating his life will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. at St. John Episcopal Church, 92 Main St., East Windsor.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Manchester Scholarship Foundation, Adult Learner Scholarship, 20 Hartford Road, Manchester, CT 06040.
For online condolences please visit
www.tierneyfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Tatro
Dorothy Kaminski July 31, 2024
July 31, 2024
Candy -
My thoughts are with you. I hope you are well. It never gets easier does it. I miss my husband, Frank! Live is never the same. Stay strong and stay well. Your friend and colleague from MCC. Dot Kaminski
Dorothy A, Kaminski
July 31, 2023
Candy - I think of you so often. I hope you are doing well - I know how much you must miss Jim. I miss my husband, Frank, too. Life is not the same. Please stay well and take care of yourself. Dot Kaminski
Dorothy A Kaminski
July 31, 2021
Candy - I hope all is well - I know you must miss Jim. He was a wonderful man. I know because I miss my husband, Frank, who also passed away. Life is very different with out him. Stay well, Candy.
Dot Kaminski
Beth Tripp
August 30, 2011
Candy- just saw in the Chimes today that Jim passed. I was so surprised! I will miss seeing him at the soup kitchen as my rabbit food partner. So enjoyed our conversations. My deepest sympathies to you. Beth Tripp
Marie Starski
August 11, 2011
Candy, I only just found out today about Jim's passing -- I was surprised and shocked to hear this and I am so, so sorry. Please accept my condolences and know that I will keep you in my prayers.
Annette Jussaume
August 10, 2011
Jamey-
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
With Deepest Sympathies
Gal Labbadia
August 10, 2011
Hello Candi, I am so very sorry about your husband Jim. I know how your feeling. Please know my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Susan and Chuck Plese
August 10, 2011
Candy and family,
There is no way to express our great sorrow for you. Though we grieve that Jim didn't live to see the book published; I am deeply grateful that he managed diligently, page by page, to record his memories of MCC's first years that he was so instrumental in forming. Those carefully written words have already enhanced the book. That, his commitment to adult learning, and his beautiful family, will be his legacies.
Lisa Baxter-Rincon
August 9, 2011
To the Tatro Family:
I send my condolences to you all. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Glenn Bradbury
August 9, 2011
Jamey, So sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest sympathy to you and your family during this difficult time.
August 8, 2011
Jim and Ed Tatro were two of my closest cousins growing up. Jim would help keep his younger brother and myself occupied with board games....he was good !! I got some of my first baseball team pins from Jim. He played a mean alto sax along with Ed and "Uncle Angelo" on guitar. I have 8mm film as proof.
We will miss you Jim, and always treasure the memories of the "good life" and fun at the house in Ware.
Elaine and I send our sincere condolences to you Ed, on the passing of your only and very esteemed brother. And to you, Candi, as well.
Cousin Allen Gurka of Florida.
peter harris
August 8, 2011
Candy, I am so sorry to hear about Jim's passing. I worked very closely with him when I was a member of the manchester scholarship foundation. I will always remember him as the official spokesperson for the adult learner. His passionate discussions with other board members regarding funding was Jim at his best. I will miss him greatly.
August 8, 2011
Sorry for your loss.
Scott, Donna and Eric
Loreen O'Neil
August 8, 2011
Linda -
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Peace.
August 8, 2011
Along with all of Jamey's friends and colleagues at P&W, I'm holding your family in my thoughts. -Bill Dauphin
Jessica Sansoucie
August 8, 2011
So sorry to hear of your loss Jamey. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Mayhem
August 8, 2011
Dear Candice:
After hearing about James bypass operation I was composing a draft in my mind to say somethng to chear you up since I am a survivor from a heart attack myself.. How sad he passesd away suddenly and left you, and the rest of us, grieving. Yet only you will be bearing the brunt of this loss and miss him so much for the rest of your life.
Jim was always kind and helpful to me. He got me an intership at Aetna for Computer Based Education when he was working there. I also met Lance there who was planning to marry his wife to be.
As a faculty member at MCC I had, fromto time, a brush with some adminisrators but Jim was one of the most conisderate and loving person with pleny
of compassion and humility. In recent months he worked so hard to compile the history of MCC who himself was a student and scholar of history. So he is not only leaving a void in your and your family's lives but in the entire MCC feternity, past and present.
I t wish Chuck and others to consider dedicating the project to Jim's memory. I will call you soon. Candy be brave and take care.
Mohammad Zaheer
Atlanta, Georgia
Marge Fiore
August 8, 2011
Jamey, all my sympathy in these sad times.
Miracle Ear
August 8, 2011
To Candy and the Tatro family,
All of our love to you as you mourn Jim's passing; please try to find comfort as you remember fond family memories of your time shared together - our thoughts, hearts and prayers are with you ~ Debbie & David Cox, and Kathy Puffe - Miracle Ear at Sears in Enfield, CT
Desreen Petgrave
August 8, 2011
It is hard to put in words expressions of saddness but I pray that the Lord will wrap you tightly in arms and bring back to your memory all the beautiful times you shared with Jim. God Bless you and your family.
Desreen, MCC
Marianne Enes
August 8, 2011
Dear Candy, Linda, Lance, Jamey, Paul & Philip.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your husband & father was a very kind man and he will be missed by many. Clearly loved and respected by many based on the condolences listed here. Fond memories will help you through these day.
God Bless - Marianne Enes
August 8, 2011
Dear Candy and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
Grace Scollo
Dot Kaminski
August 8, 2011
Candy -
I am heartbroken to hear the sad news about Jim. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
August 8, 2011
Candy we are all saddened to hear about Jim's passing. We sure will miss seeing him at church and hearing him laugh. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your entire family.
Michelle & Paul Shupe
August 8, 2011
Candy and family, I'm so sorry for your loss. I didn't know Jim very well but you always spoke of him with much love and laughter I know he loved you all. He'll always be in your hearts.
Jackie Mullen,
Manchester Community College
Ildiko Lengyel
August 8, 2011
It is very apparent that Mr. Tatro's passion in life was education. As a former student, I can attest that he succeeded in making an impression and impacted the lives of all of his students, including me. My deepest condolences to his family, the memory of him will never fade. -Ildiko Lengyel (BHS '95)
Jen Carvalho
August 7, 2011
Mr. Tatro was my European history teacher at Bolton High School. He was a fantastic educator who made me a better student; his class was always one of my favorites. My prayers are with your family at this difficult time.
August 7, 2011
Candy we are so saddened to hear about Jim. We will surely miss his warm smile and gentle demeanor. Our prayers and loving thoughts go out to you and your family. I hope you know that you have the love and friendship of St. John's to help you too. God's Peace, Denise & Rich Adessa
Eric & Leslie Backbom
August 7, 2011
Linda and Family, Our deepest sympathy to you and your Family. May happy memories carry you through this sorrowful time. Your Dad was a kind and gentle man. His smile and laughter will be missed. Wishing you and your Family strength and peace.
Love & God Bless, Eric & Leslie
Alfred Carter
August 7, 2011
Candice :
My sincere sympathy is extended to you and your family at this time. Having just experienced the death of my brother, I understand the sense of loss. I pray that God keeps you and your family strong and know that the greatest gift to your loved one is to kep doing the work that reflects his life.
Sincerely,
Alfred Carter (Retired Dean, MCC)
August 7, 2011
Jim was an old Holllister School buddy,as well as a MHS friend. He will indeed be missed.
Roger Peterson, Class of '54
Williamsburg, Virginia
Kathy Grove
August 7, 2011
Candy and family: So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. It may be comforting to know that others are grieved by your sorrow. Best regards, Kathy Grove, Business Office Technology.
Marie Smith
August 7, 2011
To Candy and family, I am so very sorry to hear about Jim. I will always remember Jim's contagious laugh. Peace and prayers.
Love Marie
Mary Lou Costello Marinelli, Class of '54
August 7, 2011
Sincerest condolences to the Tatro family on the loss of Jim. He is remembered from high school as a quiet, smiley kind of guy, a friend to all.
Alan Beitman
August 7, 2011
Jim was a wonderful and kind man....he will be missed. Alan Beitman
Carl Stafford
August 7, 2011
Candy and family, deepest sympathy on the passing of Jim. He was a kind and generous man who will be greatly missed.
Rick Wimble
August 6, 2011
Candy and family, I'm very sorry and surprised by your loss. Jim was a great guy and I always enjoyed talking with him...just shocked to hear about this. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers
Rick and Kim Wimble
August 6, 2011
It saddens me to be writing this, such a shock. Jim was the best man I knew. Wonderful father, husband, grandfather, friend. Always kind and smiling. My heart goes out to his family. Love and Prayers, Karen Mueller
Donna Hussung
August 6, 2011
WE were very surprised to hear of Jim's passing. He was a wonderful guy who always had a smile on his face. He will be so missed in church at Candy's side. Much love, thoughts and prayers to the whole family; Donna and Bob Hussung
Sandra Jenkins
August 6, 2011
To Candice and family,
I am distressed to learn of the death of my high-school friend, Jim, and wish to extend my condolences to all of you.
May your many wonderful memories carry you through the difficult days ahead.
Sincerely,
Sandra Taggart Finnegan Jenkins, Class of 1954
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