James H. Wayne Jr.

1947 - 2022

Niantic - James H. Wayne Jr. passed away peacefully Feb. 28, 2022, at his home in Niantic, surrounded by his family. He is the son of the late James H. Wayne Sr. and Mary Catherine Gagnon, born June 9, 1947, in Southbridge, Mass.

He attended public schools in Southbridge before enlisting in the United States Navy. He served five years as a cook stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Groton. While stationed in Connecticut, he met and married the love of his life, Sandy (Barth) Wayne. They were married 53 wonderful years. He received an associate degree in Business Administration from the University of New Haven while raising his family.

His early profession as a cook in various restaurants eventually lead to owning his own, the original Little Brown Shack in East Lyme. He was well-known for serving the best home fries and clam chowder in the area. Always interested in learning something new, he trained to become a piano tuner and repair technician. Owning his own business, he enjoyed taking care of his piano customers for many years. He was a member of the Piano Technicians guild for 30 years. In his last 10 years before retirement, he worked as a security officer at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

He and Sandy enjoyed motorcycle riding for almost 20 years. They traveled all through New England and out to the Midwest making many lasting friendships with their fellow bikers. He and Sandy spent six winter seasons enjoying their retirement in Punta Gorda, Fla. where they met more great friends. He loved his record collection, listening to music and playing the piano. He always loved working with and taking care of people. His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his family and friends, and he was always the happiest person in the room.

He was predeceased by his parents; his stepmother Jeannette Wayne; and stepfather Rene Gagnon. He is survived by his wife Sandy; son Brian D. Wayne and his wife Regina of Winsted; daughter, Trina (Wayne) Marchbanks and her husband Robert of East Lyme; grandchildren, Jacob, Gillian and Magdalen Wayne; sisters, Kathy Eddie and her husband Richard of Bixby, Okla., Sheila Taylor and her husband Robert of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., Diane Lord and her husband John of Tulsa, Okla.; brother, Russell Wayne and his wife Kathy of Bixby, Okla.; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Sacred Heart Church, 57 West Town Street, Norwich. Interment will follow in East Lyme Cemetery, East Lyme. Calling hours will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, March 4, 2022, in Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Lake Avenue, Niantic. The family requests that if guests are vaccinated it is suggested but not required to wear a mask, if unvaccinated please wear a mask. Please visit www.fultontherouxniantic.com for photos, tributes and directions.

In Lieu of flowers please make donations in Jim's memory to Backus Breast Cancer Survivors Fund, C/O Backus Development Office, 326 Washington St., Norwich, CT 06360 or Hartford Healthcare Hospice, 1290 Silas Dean Highway, Suite 4-B, Wethersfield, CT 06109.