James Robert Picone

James Robert Picone
James Robert Picone of Madison, CT, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2025, after a four-year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family. Jim's courage and dignity was inspiring to all who witnessed it.
Born August 15, 1958, the third of five children, he had an idyllic childhood in East Hartford. He was proud to be 100% Italian American. He graduated from East Catholic High School in 1976, and he went on to graduate from College of the Holy Cross in 1980, with a bachelor's degree in psychology. He maintained friendships from both high school and college throughout his life. His talent for listening and his easy manner made people gravitate toward him. After college, he entered the Medical Dosimetry program at Yale New Haven Hospital. He completed the program in 1983 and then began his career as a medical dosimetrist in Radiation Oncology. He met his future wife, Martha, in that same program in 1984, and they were married in 1987. Because of Jim's dedication and passion for the field, he excelled as a dosimetrist. He rose to the position of chief dosimetrist for several years, but ultimately chose to return to his former position, to focus on raising his young family. He was a highly respected and much-loved member of the medical physics team at Yale New Haven, and he retired in 2019, after thirty-six years of service. He was devoted to the care of cancer patients and to his co-workers in the radiation oncology department.
Jim was a devout Catholic and long-time parishioner of St. Margaret Church, in Madison, where he lived with his wife for thirty-seven years. He ran the annual church picnic for many years. In retirement, he enjoyed gardening and tending his bird feeders. He loved to discover nearby hiking trails and then share them with his children and any visitors who were up for the adventure. Chatfield Hollow and Hammonasset State Park were two of his favorite places. The best times were summer vacations – Rhode Island with the Picones and Vermont with the Lemaires. His first task was always to set up the beach games and umbrellas; only then would he be ready for the family vacation to begin. Jim was the heart and soul of these gatherings.
Jim and Martha were companions in the truest sense of the word, a pair intended to complement each other. They shared a professional world and often brought their work home with them, conversing about treatment plans over a loud dinner with young children. They also enjoyed each other's lifetime friends. Most importantly, they enjoyed each other. Jim was a dedicated man in every sphere of his life, but nowhere more than his devotion as a father. He and Martha raised three exceptional daughters, who loved him with their entire hearts. His grandchildren gave him tremendous joy, and he was always able to get the babies to laugh with his ridiculous "Grandpa faces".
Jim's two highest priorities in life were always clear – family and his Catholic faith. His love and loyalty to his family never wavered, and neither did his faith. Jim was a man of principle and honor in all things. It is impossible to adequately put a man's life into words. The hole he leaves in our hearts is immeasurable. The size of that hole is the truest measure of a man's life.
Jim leaves behind his wife Martha, his daughters Nicole Picone, Maria (Nicholas) Charlton, and Erin Picone, as well as grandchildren Madeline, Scott, Lily, and Evelyn. He is also survived by his brother Joseph (Ellen) Picone, MaryJoan Picone, and Richard (Katharine Sandalls) Picone, as well as by an aunt and a multitude of cousins, nephews, and nieces.
He was predeceased by his parents Angelo and Josephine Picone, and by his brother Thomas (Claire) Picone.
Special thanks to the oncology teams at Yale New Haven Hospital – in particular Drs. Jill Lacy, John Kunstman, and Kiran Turaga as well as Teresa White, APRN. They guided us with expertise and compassion.
Memorial donations may be made to Catholic Relief Services or to Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven.
Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, August 10, from 1:00PM to 5:00PM at Swan Funeral Home in Madison, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Margaret Church in Madison, CT, on Monday, August 11, at 11:00AM. Burial will immediately follow at Resurrection Cemetery, at 1160 Horse Hill Rd., in Westbrook, CT.