James S. Laird

LAIRD James S. Laird, age 86, husband of Doris (Pearson) Laird of Ridge Road, Newtown, died on Thursday, December 9, 2004, in Ashlar of Newtown, after a long illness. Jim was born in Hartford, on November 10, 1918, a son of the late John and Charlotte (Jones) Laird. He served in the U. S. Army during World War II with the 77 Infantry in the South Pacific. Jim's working career included sales manager responsibilities with the Sealtest Organization in upstate New York. Later he was manager of sales training and development, eastern sales manager and assistant personal manager for the Pepperidge Farm Co. in Norwalk. He was a resident of Newtown since 1963. Additionally he was a part-time resident of Rupert, Vt., where he owned a camp since 1954 and where many happy family occasions were spent. Jim was a member of the Newtown Congregational Church where he served as Church moderator and chairman of the board of trustees. He was a past president of the Newtown Housing for the Elderly and an active member of the Masonic fraternity and the Shriners. He was past president of the Newtown Horticulture Club. Besides his wife, Jim is survived by a brother, Russell T. Laird of Avon; sister-in-law, Arline F. Laird; and five nephews and their wives, John and Meera Laird, Thomas and Corinne Laird, James and Lynn Laird, Enos and Laura Stevens Jr., Russell and Mary Stevens. A Memorial service will be held at the Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, Newtown, at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 18. 2004. There are no calling hours. Memorial gifts may be made to the Shrines Hospital for Crippled Children, Springfield, MA or to the Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, Newtown, CT 06470 or to the Ashlar of Newtown, P.O. Box 550‚ Newtown, CT 06470. Arrangements by the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown.