James R. Sansone

James Robert Sansone, 80, of North Granby, beloved husband of Patricia (Patty) Emmons Sansone, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday evening, December 16, 2025, at St. Mary Home in West Hartford after a brief illness. Jim was the son of the late Dominick and Josephine (Rossetti) Sansone.
Born in Hartford, Jim lived in Unionville until the Flood of 1955 swept their home away, and then he moved to Simsbury. He graduated from Henry James Memorial High School, and shortly thereafter joined the U.S. Army. He married his first and only love, Patty, nearly 59 years ago, and they moved to Granby where they raised their three children.
Jim was a member of Ironworker Local Union 15 for 32 years, working on most of the high-rise buildings in the Greater Hartford area. After retiring from that career, he worked for the Town of Avon as its Building Official, Zoning Enforcement Officer and Fire Marshal for 22 years. He really loved interacting with the contractors and residents, and making a difference.
Jim was very generous with his volunteer time, having served for many years on the Town of Granby Planning & Zoning Commission, the Board of Assessment Appeals, and numerous Municipal Building Committees. He was an active member of American Legion Shannon-Shattuck Post 182, the Knights of Columbus and a Charter member of UNICO of Granby. He was a former chairman of the Democratic Town Committee.
He is survived by his devoted wife Patty and their three children: Kevin of West Hartford, Sheryl Maynor and her husband Gene of Hartsville, SC and Heather Savino and her husband Christopher of Simsbury. He also leaves behind his 5 grandchildren: Nicholas and Isabella Savino of Simsbury and Theodore, Nathan and Jenna Cutler of South Carolina. Additionally, he leaves behind his two brothers: John Sansone of Simsbury and Edward Sansone of Granby, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Anita Coffey.
He loved his family, his mountain home that he built in North Granby and his former beach house in Westbrook, feeding his birds, keeping his lawns meticulous and enjoying the view from his front porch. Jim loved his classic cars – his Corvettes and his Ferrari - and he and Patty had traveled to Italy several times, cruised on the Danube and in the Caribbean. He really enjoyed life!
Calling hours will be on Friday, December 26th at Hayes Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook Street, Granby, CT 06035, from 4-7PM. A Funeral Mass with Military Honors will follow on Saturday, December 27th, 11AM, at St. Mary's Church, 492 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070. Burial in Granby Cemetery will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Legion Shannon-Shattuck Post 182, P.O. Box 182, Granby, CT 06035 or Granby Ambulance Association, 1 Pegville Road, Granby, CT 06035.