James B. Dykes Sr.

James B Dykes Sr

James B Dykes Sr, 89, of Ridgefield, Connecticut, peacefully passed away on August 21, 2018, surrounded by his family He was the loving husband of the late Carol (Duflocq) Dykes

Jim was born in Port Washington, New York on October 15, 1928, the eldest son of the late Bernard and Margaret (Orr) Dykes

President of his high school class, high school hall of fame basketball player and crooner for the Schreiber High School musicals, "JD" began his college education at Georgetown University for whom he continued playing basketball until his enlistment with the United States Marine Corps for honorable service in the Korean War

A career in the textile industry, a marriage to "the love of my life" and five children later, Jim continued his education with evening courses wherever he and his family were living at the time; Fordham University, St Lawrence University, University of Delaware and Columbia University Continuing his lifelong dream of earning a college degree, Jim was recently accepted and enrolled in an English degree program at Western Connecticut State University and had completed one assigned reading, had begun another, in spite of the fact that classes had not yet officially begun

Once retired from an outstanding 20 year career as Senior Vice President of ITT Rayonier for whom he traveled the world, Jim took his passions for the English Language and crossword puzzling by creating and publishing, Crossword Busters, a reference tool for the rest of us who often "get stuck" while puzzling

A gifted athlete, when Jim was not looking into the meaning of words and their usage, one would most certainly find him perfecting his game on either the golf course or tennis courts

Before retiring to Ridgefield Crossings where he founded the Speaker Series, became the Residents Council President and returned to his love for the game of bridge, Jim served as member and President of the Ridgefield Men's Club

Mr Dykes is survived by his 5 children: Nancy Corn and her husband, Jay; Karen Lucas and her husband, Gregory; James Dykes Jr and his wife, Catherine Tango; John Dykes and his wife, Patricia and Christopher Dykes and his wife, Sarah Mr Dykes is survived by 11 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and another, "on the way"

"And then there was one …" Mr Dykes is survived by his brother and best friend, Bernard "Babe" Dykes

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 27, 2018 at 10:15 AM at St Mary's Church, 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield Interment with US Military Honors will follow in Nassau Knolls Cemetery; Port Washington, NY Friends will be received on Sunday, August 26, 2018 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield

Our heartfelt and most special thanks go to the team of friends and caregivers at Ridgefield Crossings and Caring Hospice With all your love and support, we rejoice