James "Jim" Culley

1922 - 2022

Gales Ferry - James "Jim" Culley, 100, of Gales Ferry, passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2022. He was born at home in Stonington, and was the son of the late James and Delia (Brown) Culley.

Jim was a graduate of Stonington High School, Class of 1940. The day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served in Folkestone, England, with the 8th Air Force, 401st Bomb Group. While there, he met and married his Scottish bride, Grace, who was serving in the British Army. Jim was honorably discharged in 1945, and returned to Stonington, with his wife to follow him one year later.

Jim and Grace settled in the Gales Ferry village in 1948, and lived there together until her death in 2010. Jim spent over 50 years in the electronics industry working for Aiken Electronics and more recently, Signal Supply. He retired in 1998. Throughout his working career, he repaired hundreds of radios and stereos as a side business in his basement workshop.

Jim was a volunteer fireman with the Gales Ferry Volunteer Fire Company, a Boy Scout troop leader, a lifelong HAM radio operator, a diligent vegetable gardener, a reader of history books, a lover of big-band and swing music (preferably without lyrics), and an avid "thrower out of things," much to his children's chagrin. Jim was also a woodworker for many years and crafted many pieces, including furniture. He loved to travel to Europe, especially to Scotland, and England, to visit family and friends.

He is survived by a son, Donald, and his wife Kari of Gales Ferry; daughter Karen Culley of Easley, S.C.; and two grandchildren, Andrew and Lauren Culley. He was predeceased by his wife Grace (Daly) Culley; and a sister, Ruth Potter.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Gales Ferry Cemetery. A reception will be held at Jim's home following the service.

The family would like to convey its sincere appreciation to Pam, Jim's "right hand," whose love and dedication over many years is beyond compare. Special thanks are extended to the Ledyard Visiting Nurses, Meals on Wheels and the Ledyard Food Pantry who all took such good care of him.

Please consider a donation in Jim's name to Boy Scout Troop 16, 722 Colonel Ledyard Highway, Ledyard, or the Gales Ferry Volunteer Fire Company, PO Box 31, Gales Ferry. The Mystic Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements.