James B. Sutton

GREENFIELD - James Bradford Sutton, 68, of 91 Smith St., passed away on April 12, 2013 at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on  July 20, 1944 in Greenfield to James and Patricia (Wagstaff) Sutton.
Jim grew up in Turners Falls and graduated from Turners Falls High School in 1962. After high school, he joined the Armed Forces of the United States in 1965 and served for three years. He served during the Vietnam Era and was stationed at Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Paris, France and Mons, Belgium. He was honorably discharged in 1968, achieving the rank of Specialist 5 E-5.
Jim was hired at The Greenfield Recorder in 1968 as the Circulation District Manager. While working there, he attended Greenfield Community College and received Associate Degrees in Liberal Arts and Business Management. By the time he left in 1981, he had worked his way up to Business Manager. He continued his career in the newspaper industry until 1986, last serving as the Business Manager at the Catholic Observer in Springfield.
Jim became passionate about working with the elderly while earning his Bachelors Degree from UMass in Human Resource Administration in 1989. Through the years, Jim was employed by various companies including Mount Saint Vincent Home in Holyoke and The Nursing Care Center at Kimball Farms in Lenox. Jim found his ideal job in 1991, when he was hired as the Administrator of Thompson House Nursing Home in Brattleboro, VT. He spent an amazing 18 years at Thompson House transforming the nursing home community into a friendly, active and well sought after home environment. Jim wasn't your average administrator; he was the kind of man that knew everyone on a first- name basis including all of his employees, every resident and all the families that were involved with Thompson House. Jim retired in 2009, but after a few months he decided that he missed working. He spoke with a friend who had a nursing home in Southern Vermont and set out to help her. Jim spent a little over a year working as the Administrator at Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community in Windsor, VT, before retiring to spend time with his family.
Jim was a dedicated Red Sox fan, but there was nothing that he loved more than his family. He was a gentle, loving and generous father to all 12 of his children. He had an incredible sense of humor and could make anyone laugh. He enjoyed sports, tag sales, family vacations to Ocean City, NJ, apple picking with his kids, auctions, hot black coffee, Haagen-Dazs ice cream, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He loved his family unconditionally and made sure to tell them often. Jim was never one to brag, except when it came to his family. His children and grandchildren meant the world to him and he was so proud of all of their accomplishments.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, James Sutton and Patricia Elliott, and his first son, Mark Christopher Sutton, who passed away shortly after his birth in 1968.
Jim is survived by his former wife, Margaret Kavanagh of Greenfield; his children Amy Socquet and husband Paul of Greenfield, Aaron Sutton and fiancé Eric Liu of Brighton, Aric Sutton of Brighton, Adrian Gilmore and her wife Hayley of Greenfield, Annie Silva and her husband David of Allston, Ashley Sutton and her partner Talia Williams of Essex Junction, VT, A.J. Sutton, Andrew Sutton, Alyssa Sutton, Akeya Sutton, Ajoshua Sutton and Aydon Sutton, all of Greenfield; his grandchildren, Kaeden and Keltyn Socquet of Greenfield and his future granddaughter to Adrian and Hayley Gilmore; and his five siblings, Sherry Rice, Gary Sutton, Suzanne Spencer, Kevin Elliott and Terry Elliott.
Arrangements, under the direction of Eternal Blessings of Vermont, are being held privately per Jim's wishes. Condolences and memories may be sent to 91 Smith Street, Apt 206, Greenfield, MA 01301.