James Rudolph Werner

New London - James Rudolph Werner passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2011. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Frances, who died in 1984.

James was born on April 12, 1921 in St. Louis, Mo. He grew up in Missouri, but left to join the Coast Guard where he served on the USS Wakefield transporting troops during World War II in the Pacific. A Japanese bombing raid damaged his ship that led to extensive repairs, as well as a respite for James in New York City. During this liberty while in Central Park, James, whose camera had no film, pretended to snap photos of a beautiful waitress named Frances. Real pictures were taken later, and she would become his wife.

Werner's Coast Guard career after the war took him and his bride to Rhode Island where he was lighthouse keeper at several lights, Block Island being the most desolate. He vowed never to return, and lived up to that vow. Eventually James settled with his family in New London, where he lived for more than 40 years.

After serving 20 years with the Coast Guard, Werner retired into a second career at Pfizer in Groton where he was a chemical operator and in plant security.

He had a love for tinkering, and of antique cars. He taught a grandson the art of hot-wiring a car and could fix anything with a nut or bolt from his workshop bench.

Jim will be missed for the simple man he was.

He is survived by his sister, Mary Kuesel of Grand Junction, Colo.; brother, William of Republic, Mo.; son, James Werner of Virginia Beach, Va.; daughter, Kathleen Barry of East Lyme; granddaughters, Lisa Beck, Traci Johns, and Tara Werner of Virginia; grandsons, Joel Barry of West Hartford and Jason Barry of Middletown; by ten great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at the Coast Guard Chapel on Rte. 32, New London, followed by interment at St. Mary's Cemetery on Jefferson Ave. in New London.

Thomas L. Neilan and Sons Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.