JAMES BRACKEN

1934 - 2022

James Aloysius Bracken  
The Bracken family mourns the passing of James Aloysius Bracken, who died on January 18, 2022. In his 87 years, Jim created a life as a US Marine and successful entrepreneur.

To his family, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who was an example of an involved citizen, patriotic American and decent man.

To many, he was a loyal friend, a role model and a trusted advisor - his sincerity, humor, approachability and thoughtfulness earned him admirers and made him effective in his work.

Jim was born in New Haven, Connecticut on October 29, 1934. After graduating from Saint Michael's College in Vermont in 1956, he joined the Marine Corps, retiring as a Colonel in 1983 after 26 years of service. Among his awards was the Bronze Star. While on active duty, he earned a MBA from Pepperdine University and attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Upon retirement from the Marine Corps, he became the president of a small trade show management company and a few years later, the owner. In total, he spent 30 years as a trade show organizer, enjoying the successes it brought.

Jim married Judy, also from New Haven, in Fredericksburg, VA in August 1957. They were married 64 years. Together they raised three accomplished sons, Stephen (Maura), David (Paula) and Matthew (Anne), and enjoyed ten grandchildren, Conor (Rachel), Mariah (Justin), Julia (Brendan), Emiline (John), Maeve, Emma, Patrick, Rory, Reese and Max, and two great-granddaughters, Everett and Farah.

If you wish to make a donation in memory of Jim, the family recommends Saint Michael's College at www.smcvt.edu/giveback [smcvt.edu] or Saint Michael's College, One Winooski Park, Box 256, Colchester, VT, 05439.

A Mass will be held on Thursday April 7, at 11 a.m. at the Blessed Sacrament church in Alexandria (1427 W Braddock Road) to celebrate the life of James Bracken. Funeral arrangements have been made with Everly-Wheatley of Alexandria, VA.