James M. Caroll II

1937 - 2023

James M. Caroll II
James M. Carroll II of Avon, CT passed away July 18th after a valiant battle with cancer. Jim was born on June 29, 1937, and was the son of William T. and Virginia Carroll. He grew up in Torrington, CT and attended St. Francis Catholic School through 8th grade. He was a graduate of Torrington High School. He then attended Boston College and graduated with a Business Degree. After graduation he married and had two children. He joined the CT National Guard and did 2-week trainings in the summer. Utilizing his business background, he went to work at Hartford National Bank. He became president of the Hartford National Men's Club. He put the last piece of steel in the building that is now the Bank of America building on Main St. in Hartford. His next move was to Daniels Cadillac as a Salesman and Dealership Operations Manager. Daniels Cadillac was sold to Thomas Cadillac, where he worked his way up to be the General Service Manager and Director for 23 years.
Jim was passionate about fishing. He bought his first boat and kept it at Stonington Harbor. He loved to fish, go clamming and even had lobster pots. He also loved to garden and always had a big garden in the backyard. His tomatoes were amazing. He loved to read the Hartford Courant and the Wall Street Journal every morning over a big breakfast. He liked to stay up with current events and always had an opinion. He also loved UConn Women's Basketball.
Tired of the Corporate world, he decided to venture out and open a garden center. He started the New Hartford Nursery in Canton, CT. The economy faltered in the late eighties forcing the nursery to close. He then brought his talents to Larson's Garden Center and Farm Stand in Bristol, Ct. He later interviewed with the owner of Winterberry Irrigation in Cheshire who told Jim to "Build him a Nursery". So, Jim was the initial Developer and Start Up Manager of the Winterberry Gardens Nursery in Bristol, CT. He then moved on to be the Garden Shop Manager at the new Walmart in Bristol. Under Jim's management the store won an award for the best garden sales report in the country one year. After 17 years he finally retired and enjoyed working in his own yard and gardens with his wife Cece.
Jim loved his Irish heritage. Those who knew him well were sure to be entertained by his quick wit and wicked sense of humor.
Jim and Cece were married in 1991 and had 32 wonderful years of marriage. He is survived by his wife Cece, his beloved daughter Melanie Carroll Cook of Rocklin, CA and his son James M. Carroll of Braxton, MS. He was predeceased by his brother William Carroll. He is survived by his granddaughter Taylor Evans and her husband Simon, grandsons Hayden Cook and Connor Cook, his sister-in-law Charlotte Carroll of Simsbury, CT, his first wife Erlyne Flinchbaugh, and his nieces and nephews: Billy, Ann, Kathy, Mary, Susan and Bobby and of course many dear friends.
All are cordially invited to a visitation on Sunday, July 30th from 3 to 5 pm at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main Street, Unionville, CT. A private burial will take place later at the Carroll Family Headstone in St. Francis Cemetery in Torrington, CT. A special thanks to the oncology teams at UCONN Health Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. John Paul the Great Academy formerly St. Francis School, 360 Prospect St., Torrington, CT 06790. For online guestbook and directions please visit www.ahernfuneralhome.com.