James Christopher Joseph Daly

James Christopher Joseph Daly, 65, of East Windsor, formerly of Bridgeport, passed away peacefully Aug. 7, 2017, after a brief illness.

Born in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport, Sept. 14, 1951, son of the late James J.A. Daly and Sally (Witterwell) Daly Hamlin. He is predeceased by two sisters, Deborah Daly of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and Mary Teresa Daly Balch of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

"James," "Jamesy," "Jim," and "Jimbo" was a man called by many endearing names, but perhaps most affectionate of those names was Jamesy, by which his sisters and brothers lovingly referred to him.

Jamesy is survived by his two daughters, Erin Lee and her husband, Konrad, of Winchester, Massachusetts, and Meghan Daly of Black Rock; their mother, Sharon Gerrity Daly of Stratford; two brothers, Kenneth W. Daly of Princeton, New Jersey, and Patrick R. Daly and his wife, Joyce, of Auburn, Massachusetts; two sisters, Kate Daly Rietberg and her husband, Bruce, of Suffield, and Sara Daly Ryan, and her husband, Jay, of Frederick, Maryland; two grandchildren, Raicheal Marie Lee and Aengus Joseph Lee; and many loving nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jamesy graduated from St. Ann School in Black Rock, attended Notre Dame Catholic High School (Fairfield) and graduated from The University School in 1970. He went on to study English at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, graduating with his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairfield University. He then pursued his master's degree in communications at Fairfield University. In 1978, he began a career as a teacher with the Bridgeport and Fairfield public school systems.

Jamesy was a lifelong poet, artist, and loving father, and had a special gift for endearing kindness and inspiring others to enjoy literature and poetry. He taught staff and his friends at Bridge House and Fresh River to read and write poetry.

His family would like to thank the caregivers and staff at Fresh River Healthcare, Bridge House, St. Francis Hospital, and the extended network of providers at St Francis Community Care and Optum Care. A special note of thanks is extended to his primary nurse, Bene Bentil, for her ongoing guidance and sisterly care shown to Jim and his family caregivers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bridge House, 880 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06605; or Fresh River Healthcare, Resident Council Fund, 96 Prospect Hill Road, East Windsor, CT 06088; or Nutmeg Senior Rides, 47 Bridge St., East Windsor, CT 06088.

In celebration of James' life, a funeral service and Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, Aug. 19, at 10:30 a.m. at St. James Church, 2110 Main St., Stratford. Everyone is requested to meet directly at church. Interment will follow at St. Michael's Cemetery, 2205 Stratford Ave., Stratford.

Heritage Funeral Home, 1240 Mountain Road, Suffield, has been entrusted with the arrangements.

For online condolences, visit

www.suffieldfuneralhome.com

"Take, if you must, this little bag of dreams, Unloose the cord, and they will wrap you round." - W.B. Yeats