James E. Humphreville

James Edwin Humphreville, 95, of Danbury, CT, died on November 24, 2025 from natural causes at home surrounded by family. Born on September 25, 1930, in Lorain, OH, son of George Dewey and Elizabeth (Caple) Humphreville, he earned degrees in Music Education from Ohio Wesleyan University, Columbia University, and the University of Connecticut with emphasis in French Horn and Conducting.
In college he met, and subsequently married, Ada May Schleig in 1952. Upon graduation, the newly-married couple moved to Fort Sheridan, IL where Humphreville joined the Army and played French Horn with the US Army Headquarters Band (5th Army Band) for three years. After an honorable discharge, they moved to Danbury, CT where he joined the family business, Edward's Hats.
Humphreville left the hat business in 1957 to begin teaching general music at Danbury High School. He also conducted several choirs and created a small group called the Madrigal Singers. Humphreville and his wife, Ada, were also responsible for producing various theatrical musicals at the high school. Eventually, he became the Coordinator of Music for the school system, the position he held until his retirement in 1990. Humphreville was a member of Union Lodge of the Masons in Danbury and the Danbury Lions Club.
Humphreville has helped shape the musical activities of the Danbury Music Centre since 1955. He joined the Danbury Music Centre as principal horn for the Symphony Orchestra. From 1967 to 1985, he was the conductor of the Community Chorus. Humphreville became Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra in 1977, a position he held until he retired in 2000 was given the Conductor Emeritus.
In 1967 Humphreville began a tradition of his own: the annual Messiah concert. Each Christmas, he proudly conducted this special performance, totaling 35 by the time he retired.
In 1968 The Nutcracker ballet was introduced as an annual event in Danbury by the Symphony Orchestra. Humphreville not only played principal horn, but the first year he also built stage sets and one year acted as the show's producer. Humphreville took over as Conductor of The Nutcracker in 1977, conducting over 50 performances before he retired.
Humphreville's interest in music and education led him to serve as President and Vice President of the Connecticut Music Association, as well as other boards and advisory committees. He is listed in "Who's Who in the East," as well as in the international "Who's Who in Music."
One of Humphreville's many pastimes was his Tagebuch, a diary, written on his computer in German. This started as a one-week assignment by one of his German teachers in 1997. Now, there is a collection of binders, one for each year since the assignment began.
Humphreville was predeceased by his wife, Ada May and is survived by daughter, Kim Elizabeth; son, Scott Douglas; and grandson, James Christian Parker and Christian's Mother, Dena, along with various nephews and cousins.
The family will receive friends at the Cornell Funeral Home, 247 White Street in Danbury. The wake will be held on December 2nd from 4 to 7 pm. The funeral service will take place at the Funeral Home December 3rd at 11 am. Burial will take place after the funeral at Wooster Cemetery in Danbury.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the James E. Humphreville Endowment Fund, Danbury Music Centre, 250 Main Street, Danbury, CT 06810, or to the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) via his daughter, Kim.