James N. McGuinness

JAMES N. MCGUINNESS - 80, World War II Army Air Corps Veteran of Cheshire, formerly of Norwalk, died Sunday at home after a lengthy illness. He was the husband of Merlin Errico McGuinness.

Born in Norwalk, April 8, 1925, son of the late James J. and Clara Grumman McGuinness, he was Norwalk resident most of his life. A retired self employed building contractor, Mr. McGuinness was a Past President and member of Carpenters' Union Local # 210. Mr. McGuinness was a gifted athlete, starting at Norwalk High School, playing ice hockey, figure skating, baseball, softball, golf and boating. He was a Life Member and Past Commodore of the South Norwalk Boat Club. A World War II Army Air Corps veteran, he was a member of Frank C. Godfrey Post 12, American Legion, and a Lifetime Charter member of the World War II Memorial.

Survivors in addition to his wife include three sons; Matthew McGuinness, James McGuinness, and his wife Laura, all of Norwalk, Brian McGuinness, of Norfolk, two daughters; Sheila Sweet, and husband Todd, of Cheshire, Laura Corbo, and husband Lee, of Shelton, a sister Eileen Preston, of Norwalk, eleven grandchildren; Kelly, James and Michael, Lindsay, Jacquelynn, Matthew, Jr., Ashley, Ryan, Shannon, April, and Erin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10:00 AM in St. Matthew Church, 216 Scribner Avenue, Norwalk. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. John Cemetery, Richards Avenue, Norwalk.

Friends may call Wednesday, 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk.

Members of the South Norwalk Boat Club will meet, 7:00 PM, Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions are requested to Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, c/o Franciscan Home and Hospice Care, 267 Finch Avenue, Meriden, CT 06451.