Atty. James W. Bracnaro

Bracnaro, Atty. James W.
Atty. James W. Bracnaro (Jimmy Bracnaro), husband of the late Sylvia LaPia Bracnaro, died at the age of 90. He was born in Derby and lived in Shelton most of his life. He was the son of the late Rocco and Letizia Bracnaro, both from Calabria, Italy. Predeceasing him were brothers and sisters Bruno, Alphonse, Frank, Rose, and Constance Sardo. He left a son Robert, a teacher in Milford, and a daughter Darlene, wife of Anthony Dioguardi, a New Haven dentist. He was a past Captain of both the Shelton High School football and baseball teams. In football, he led the state one year in points scored, and as broken field runner ran up nine runs of 50 yards of more. In baseball, he hit ten home runs. He graduated from Yale where he played against Army and its great back, Glen Davis. At Yale, he played on the same baseball team as the first President Bush, and played in the first College World Series against California. His timely base hit for Yale against the Brooklyn Dodgers in an exhibition game in New Haven almost beat the Dodgers. He was also Connecticut Checkers Champion, and played semi pro baseball for several years. He was a Lieutenant (Junior Grade) naval officer in WWII and was the recipient of several military awards and medals, including one for participation in the recapture of Bataan and Corregitor. He attended Duke, New England, and Suffolk Law Schools, receiving both Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Law. He was a general law practitioner in Shelton for many years. As City of Shelton Corporation and City Attorney, he was highly instrumental in the drafting of City Ordinance & Regulations for the commercialization of the highly successful Bridgeport Avenue Commercial Corridor. He also sat on the bench in the Superior Court sitting in Derby, Milford, New Haven, and Meriden for twelve years as a FACT-FINDER, ATTORNEY TRIAL REFEREE, and COMMITTEE. Calling hours will be held Sunday, February 10th from 5 to 8 P.M. at the JAMES T. TOOHEY & SON FUNERAL HOME, 92 HOWE AVE., SHELTON. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, February 11th at 9 A.M. in St. Joseph Church, 424 Coram Ave., Shelton. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at Mt. St. Peter's Cemetery, Derby. In Lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United States Foundation for the Children of Haiti, P.O. Box 521171, Tulsa, OK 74152-1171.