James R. Deephouse

1931 - 2016

James Russell Deephouse died unexpectedly on April 15, 2016, in Branford, Connecticut. He was born on January 21, 1931, in Montréal, Quebec, son of Lawrence Paul Deephouse and Libbie Turek Deephouse. Jim grew up in Hamden, Connecticut, where he attended Spring Glen School and Cheshire Academy. He entered Yale University, and he graduated in June, 1952, with a Bachelor of Engineering degree. He married Lucy Larcom Dayton on July 1, 1952. Immediately after their honeymoon, he spent 2 years as an Ensign in the US Navy. Jim and Lucy raised three children: Christopher, Deborah and David. The Deephouse family lived for 27 years in West Hartford, Connecticut. During that time, Jim was elected to the Board of Education and served as its chair for two years. Jim worked with his father at Deephouse Equipment Company for decades, and after Larry retired, Jim became its president. He served as New England district representative of the Associated Equipment Distributors, 1970-1975. Jim and Lucy bought a summer cottage in Madison in 1963, and they became active members at the Madison Beach Club. Jim was very involved with the sailing program, including two years as Commodore. In 1989, Jim and Lucy moved to Madison full-time and joined the Madison Winter Club. Jim was active in Madison civic life. He was elected to the Board of Finance, and he served on the new Daniel Hand High School Committee, the Town Charter Commission, and the Republican Town Committee. Jim is predeceased by his wife, Lucy. He is survived by his children and their spouses: Chris Deephouse and Donna Hunt; Deborah and David Blecich; and David Deephouse and Melissa Hathaway. He has five granddaughters: Nancy Deephouse, Kimberly Blecich, Alicia Blecich, Abigail Bowering, and Lucy Hathaway. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Staley, and by numerous nieces, nephews and in laws. A funeral mass will be held at St. Margaret's Catholic Church, 39 Academy Street, Madison, CT on Friday, May 6, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Madison Historical Society or St. Margaret's Church. To sign the online guestbook please visit hawleylincolnmemorial.com.