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Peter James Obituary

Laguna Woods, Calif. - Peter James, 82, of 468 - A Calle Cadiz, Laguna Woods, died after a short illness.

Peter James and his twin brother, George James, operated the James & Sons Luncheonette in Groton for 33 years.

Mr. James was in the Navy from 1944 to 1946. He moved to California to be near his two sons and daughter.

He was very active in the Elks, Masons, and Lions Clubs as a successful fund-raiser and received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for dedicated humanitarian services from the Lions Club International Foundation. He played the spoons in several musical groups for over 66 years and was known as "Pete James, the Player of Spoons" by his community. He enjoyed playing bridge, square dancing, and golf.

He was predeceased by his wife, Ann James.

He is survived by a daughter, Kathy Bryte of Ariz. and two sons, David James and Jeffrey of Calif.

A funeral service at Saint Paul's Greek Orthodox Church will be held at 11 a.m. today followed by burial in the El Toro Cemetery.

Donations can be made in his memory to the Saint Paul's Greek Orthodox Church, 4949 Alton Pkwy, Irvine CA 92604.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Day on Feb. 5, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Peter James

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5 Entries

Janet Manning-Woodard

February 20, 2005

David,

I was sorry to read that your Dad has passed. Your parents were very kind to me through our high school years. I will remember them fondly,

Janet Manning

Cyndi Casart

February 5, 2005

Cyndi Pascoe Casart

Mike West

February 5, 2005

I was born and raised in Groton. As a kid in the very early fifties, our 'gang' used to hang out at the Luncheonette. Pete and George would run us out for being rowdy and not buying anything! He would tell us to stay out and not come back. But, the next day we would again come back! And Pete and George would allow us to stay...then, the same routine would happen again. And, he would toss us out. He was a pretty good 'yeller', too! I graduated from Fitch Sr. High in 1956! We hung out at the luncheonette from about 1952 to 1956.One more story to tell...

Clyde Solt who owned the barbershop across the street, used to get get free coffee from Pete and George. I think coffee was a nickle at the time. Well, all Clyde's customers would buy their coffee at the luncheonette before going to Clyde's for a haircut. Solt was so mad at being charged a nickle for his coffee he put a coffee maker in the shop. Clyde started placing all the styraform empty cups in the large window of the shop. After the window was full (Peter and George realized they were losing a lot of coffee money income) They told Clyde he would again get free coffee if he removed the coffeemaker from the shop. Clyde did and all ended well...the coffee cups were removed from the window and all was peaceful again! And Clyde's customers would once again buy their coffee from the lucheonette. I was a teenager at the time and would place the cups in the window for Clyde! I have fond memories of both Pete and George...I am saddened by the passing of Pete.

Sincerely,

Mike West

Cherrie Morton(Buscher)

February 5, 2005

I am very sorry to hear about your father's death. I will let my brother Jon know. We were all friends in Groton, Ct. I used to babysit for you all and the boys were all friends. Your father will be missed by all.

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