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James Michael Richards

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Colgate University University of Connecticut

James Richards Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Sep. 22, 2023.

James Michael Richards, 69, of Bristol, passed away surrounded by his family on the morning of September 14, 2023.

Jim was born on May 20, 1954 in Allentown, Pennsylvania to Charles Richards III and Jane Reber Richards. Surviving Jim are his wife of almost 42 years, Ronda Richards of Bristol; his son Kyle and his wife Nina Richards of West Hartford; his daughter Jessica Richards and her husband Ian Archibald of Bristol; his sister Sally Richards and her husband Frans Stemmerik of Media, Pennsylvania; and his brother John Richards and wife Jeannie of Brisbane, Australia. Also surviving are Jim's grandchildren Benajmin (6), Samuel (4), and Avery (10 months).

Jim grew up in Emmaus and Media, PA, and was the youngest of three kids. In his early years, he developed a deep love for sports, especially baseball. He supported the hometown Phillies and his childhood hero, Willie Mays. After graduating from Strath Haven High School in 1972, he pursued his education at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, where he was a proud member of the DKE fraternity.

Jim met his wife Ronda on a work assignment in Los Angeles in February of 1981, and they were married in November of the same year. Both of their children were born in California, and they moved to Detroit, Michigan and Hutchinson, Kansas before settling in Bristol, CT in 1993.

Jim received an MBA from the University of Connecticut and spent his entire professional career in the machine tooling and manufacturing industry. In 2022, he retired as an Executive Vice President at Fourslide Spring and Stamping after 17 years of service.

In his free time, he could be found playing straight pool at Shooters Billiards in Southington, distributing Bristol's finest organic tomatoes to his friends, and, of course, walking endless miles with his most beloved Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

He will be remembered for his unparalleled wit and soft spot for those closest to him.

The funeral service will be held at St James's Episcopal Church, located at 1018 Farmington Avenue in West Hartford, at 11:30 AM on Thursday, October 5th with a reception to follow at an alternate location.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages honoring Jim with a contribution to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (https://raise.stjude.org/fundraiser/4969501).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Recent Activity

December 9, 2023

Kevin Moses posted to the memorial.

October 5, 2023

Maxx, Maddy, Danielle and Pedr planted trees.

October 4, 2023

Virgil McBean posted to the memorial.

10 Entries

Kevin Moses

December 9, 2023

Maxx, Maddy, Danielle and Pedr

Planted Trees

Virgil McBean

October 4, 2023

Mr.Richards was the first true pool player to take me to the side and teach me the fundamentals of billiards....in doing so, he left an unending impression on me not only as a player, but as a person as well. He was intelligent and was in possession of a humor that always brought forth laughter. I will miss him dearly. - Virgil McBean

Fourslide spring and stamping

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Bruce DiFronzo

September 27, 2023

I met Jim in the pool room a bunch of years ago and we became friends pretty quickly we are both very competitive and we started playing straight pool. He loved the game of straight pool, and I was learning it myself so he would come in and set up his camera and video his sessions, so one day we played and I had one of those days where just everything went my way I mean every crazy shot that I looked at I made it,it was just ridiculous and I ended up winning but what he did was he took the video and and he gave it to me. that really impressed me. Being so competitive, the both of us. this game of pool can bring out the best and the worst in people. I have to tell you no matter what happened when we played good bad or indifferent we always ended up friends at the end of the day. Which is a testament to his character because I´m not that easy.little did I realize at the time, but he was teaching me to let things go. Jim was a very smart guy just a wealth of information, especially when it came to sports. You could talk to him about anything and for me he just was able to make sense of things. for me he was the voice of reason which separated him from
most of the guys in the room. I am so sad to see my friend go, I will miss him. affectionately known as Jimmy tomatoes. The guys in the pool Room will keep his memory alive. No doubt. my deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the family. rest in peace, my friend.

Rich Carmekich

September 26, 2023

As Jim´s neighbor for 19 years on Trelli Lane, Jim and I crossed paths often as I would work in the yard and he would walk his dogs. We had many great conversations over the years - not only about sports, but about funny interactions we would have in our everyday life. He always had great insights and always made me laugh. Jim was a really good guy and will be missed. My wife Kim and I send our sincerest sympathies to Ronda, his kids and the rest of Jim´s family.

Greg Kucharski

September 26, 2023

I met Jim at Ultimate Billiards - way back when - and he was very concerned that I would not return his shaft after I fixed his tip. When I walked in, he was playing with Ronnie Jackson, who also assured him I would be there. He was very relieved when I walked in the door with his cue. He was a good friend, I enjoyed his mortgage tomatoes whenever he brought them in to share, and he will be dearly missed. RIP Jim

Brian Carroll

September 25, 2023

So long to my dear friend, Jimmy, upon whom we affectionately gave the nickname "Jimmy Tomatoes".

Jimmy had so many wonderful attributes but for me his wit and sense of humor were at the top of the list. He was super smart and like a walking encyclopedia of sports with a special emphasis on his Philly teams. In a nutshell, Jimmy Tomatoes was a joy to be around and it was an honor to have been his friend.

My heartfelt condolences go out to Ronda, Kyle, Jessica, Jim's grandchildren, all of his other family and friends plus his beloved Rhodesian ridgeback dogs.

Godspeed Jimmy; until we meet again.

Bobby Hunt

September 25, 2023

I didn't know Jimmy long, but anytime he came into the room he put a smile on my face. We will surely miss Jimmy Tomatoes coming in the poolroom, we've lost one of the good guys.

Ann Curtis

September 25, 2023

Ronda & family, my deepest sympathy to you. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, and May God's love bring you comfort in your time of grief.
Ann Curtis/Key Bank

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