James "Jiggs" McGuire

1920 - 2013

James Vincent McGuire (Jiggs) 93 of West Hartford, husband of the late Catherine Loretta (Kerins) McGuire for 62 years died on November 18, 2013 at The Reservoir in West Hartford. James lived and cherished his entire 93 years in West Hartford as a Master Builder who started building fine homes and additions in West Hartford and Farmington including his own home on Woodruff Rd in West Hartford which he was so proud of. James was born on November 5, 1920 to Mary J. (Bourke) McGuire and Michael McGuire who came to the states from County Mayo, Ireland. Jiggs, as he preferred to be called, was predeceased by his wife Catherine, infant twin daughter Mary Margaret, his brothers M. Francis (Mac) McGuire and Thomas B. McGuire, his sister Anne M. Schwager. His only living sister is Helen M. McGuire (age 95) also of West Hartford. James also was predeceased by nephews, Thomas McGuire, Leonard McGuire and Kevin G. McGuire. James leaves his four living children, Patricia Ann McGuire (Bunny) of West Hartford, Mary Ellen McGuire of West Hartford. The twins Kathleen Rose McGuire, (Kitchie) of Newington, and his son James Vincent McGuire, Jr. of Westbrook. James served our country honorably in World War II active in the 98th Infantry Division in the United States Army. James was active in yearly 98th Infantry conventions traveling with his wife, brother and nephew to various US destinations. Over the years James and Catherine traveled to Bermuda, Florida, Ireland, Austria and Germany and James loved to marvel at the architecture of the buildings. His hobbies were woodworking design and construction. James also worked 10 years for CIGNA Insurance Co. in the Building Department hired for his expertise in building/remodeling offices including CIGNA's on and offsite properties. Jiggs was a humble man who had such strength and wisdom in a somewhat quiet unnoticed manner. He had a nickname for most of his friends and family and humorous Irish wit about him. He was a man of great character, honesty and a loving nature that would warm your heart. He would go out of his way to help a friend. Jiggs was a fun-loving, considerate, generous person who always had a funny story to tell and knew the history of West Hartford better than most and kept his eye on all the home building and remodeling in town. Jiggs could recite when various homes were built and by which builder. James mastered the building trade and was called upon for his expertise and knowledge of the building trade by various general contractors, builders and Commercial Real Estate experts. Jiggs assisted all his friends and family with building projects and truly took pride in all his work. James is also survived by many nieces and nephews including their spouses and children. A special thanks to Thomas G. McGuire and his wife Nancy who routinely visited Jiggs at The Reservoir and at UConn Medical Center. Jiggs also leaves his favorite buddies from the Quaker Diner, Todd Darch, Harry Bassilakis, Dave Crane, The Hunter Brothers and Paul Pane a former neighbor from the Woodpond Lake area and many other special friends. His sister Helen McGuire visited her brother weekly bringing him a special sweet treat and showing sisterly love and support. The funeral will be Saturday with a Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 a.m. at the Church of St. Helena, 30 Echo Lane, West Hartford. Interment will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Friends may call at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave. West Hartford on Friday from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Directions and online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com