James Shoneck

1932 - 2023

BRISTOL

James "Jim" N. Shoneck, 90, of Bristol, began his eternal journey on March 22, 2023. Jim was born in East Lyme on December 31, 1932.

He was adopted into the Shoneck family at 6 months old, growing up on the family farm, High Hill Dairy, in Meriden. As a young man, he built a solid foundation of honesty and self-esteem based on dedicated labors, co-running the dairy with his parents (Ted and Ellen) and brothers (John and Reggie). Jim attended Meriden schools, graduating from Wilcox Tech into the tool and die trade. He served our country in the US Army and later the Navy Reserves After the military his most notably career was working over 30 years in the defense industry with New England Aircraft Products [Howmet].

Later in life, he worked in the Marino family-owned Wolcott Tire and auto sales business until his retirement. At his core, Jim was a proud, happy family man. Throughout his life, he worked to provide a loving home and confident support for his children, his grandchildren, and in later life, his great-grandchildren. He was a kind man and quiet hero, whose daily example was his unwavering commitments to hard work, family, and friends. His passions included taking family and friends fishing, boating, going to hockey games and country fairs, rooting for the NY Yankees and Giants, and attending his kids' various sports activities. You could also find Jim volunteering for the Kiwanis and then Lions clubs and through his numerous veterans-related activities across Meriden and Bristol. For many years, in honor of his late brother, John "Reggie" Shoneck [SSgt. USAF, Vietnam KIA 1966], Jim provided annual college scholarships to Meriden high schoolers. Jim was blessed with two families. Starting in 1954 with his first wife, Patricia (Holmes Lachmund), he had four sons - Ted, Tim, Jeff and Scott Shoneck, all growing up in Southington. In 1986, he married Barbara (Marino Galvin), and gained two grown additional sons -- Jay and Chris Galvin. The six boys brought loving partners, grandchildren, and great grandchildren - all to Jim's adoring delight.

With a sly sense of humor, if Jim smiled and called you a "wing nut", you earned his highest praise. Jim is survived by his devoted, loving wife, Barbara Shoneck of Bristol; they enriched and completed each other. His immediate family includes sons Ted Shoneck and his wife Karen Bernier-Shoneck of DE, Jeff Shoneck and Paula Allard of Plantsville, Tim Shoneck of South Hadley, MA, and from Bristol, Jay and Latifa Galvin, Chris Galvin, and Donna and Karen Galvin.

He has a large, extended family that includes brothers-in-law Richard and Brian Marino and Richard Parizo, and sisters-in-law Judy Moots and Rose Holmes. Jim is grandfather to Adam Shoneck and Megan McClees, Jessica McLawhon, Krista Mae and Tiffany Shoneck, Tyler Shoneck, Jason, Kyle and Jordan Galvin, Caroline and Joseph Galvin and their respective spouses, partners, and children. Jim's son Scott Shoneck, his grandson Christopher Galvin Jr., and his daughter-in-law Felicia Shoneck all pre-deceased him. He is pre-deceased by his parents and brothers.

Calling hours will be at O'Brien Funeral Home in Bristol on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 from 5pm-7pm. A funeral will begin on Wednesday morning, March 29, 2023 starting at the funeral home at 9AM until a procession that will leave for a 10AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Matthew Church, Forestville. Burial and military honors will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol. For additional information and online condolences, please visit

https://www.obrien-funeralhome.com

James "Jim" N. Shoneck