James Patrick Shanley

James Patrick Shanley, age 87, of Southington, CT, Cedar Island in Clinton, CT, and Naples, FL, passed away peacefully with his daughters by his side on Saturday, March 16, 2024.  Jim, AKA, “Jadge” or “Grampie” or "The Mayor” or “The Governor” or “CJ” or “Corbin” was the widower of Elizabeth “Betty” (Zdunczyk) Shanley, who passed away in 1997.  Born in New Haven, CT, on April 20, 1936 to the late Patrick “Patsie” and Dorothy (Allen) Shanley, Jim was educated in the Hamden school system, being class president of his 4th grade Putnam Ave. School (which he constantly reminded us of) and graduated from Hamden High School as a proud Green Dragon. Hamden always held a special place for our dad and each drive on route 10 in Hamden was a trip down memory lane for him and thus for all of us…..each and every time.

Jim joined the U.S. Navy in 1954 and served our country honorably and proudly for four years traveling the Mediterranean aboard the cruiser USS Northampton.  Having joined the Navy on the GI Bill since there was not much money growing up, upon discharge, Jim utilized this program to attend the University of Bridgeport and received a Bachelor degree in Marketing.  In 1960, while going to college, Jim married his wife Betty.

Jim had a very successful career in sales.  After being the Territory Manager and Sales Manager for the ER Moore Company, selling caps and gowns to high schools and colleges, Jim left to become a Regional Manager at Sico, which sold specialized equipment to hotels, motels and restaurants.  In 1981, Jim started his own company, Shanley Associates LTD, where his company performed restoration work on buildings, particularly churches and private schools.

Jim was extremely active in and dedicated to various organizations, being a member of the Knights of St. Patrick, Polish Falcon Club Nest 307, Polish National Alliance Group 684, Southington Elks BPOE Lodge 1669, American Legion Kiltonic Post 72, Southington Chamber of Commerce, Southington Housing Authority and Southington Democrat Town Committee.  With the Knights of St. Patrick, he was general chairman of their annual black-tie dinner and carried the “colors” for the club in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in New Haven and for years, he swore in the club’s new members.  He was past President of the Polish Falcon Club, attained the distinguished rank of Gold Legion of Honor, was a Trustee, started and Chaired for 35 years its famous Kielbasa Open Golf Tournament, started the Lady Falcon Golf Tournament, began its Members’ Christmas party in 1981, ran the Installation Dinner for 15 years, served on its scholarship committee for years and initiated numerous renovation and improvement projects at the Club. Jim was named Elk of the Year by the local Elks organization and started their annual Public Safety Night, honoring a local policeman, fireman and state police officer.  While with the Chamber of Commerce, Jim was committee Chairman for the annual Apple Harvest Festival.  He also served for 7 years on the Housing Authority, of which 5 were as Chair.  Jim was extremely proud of his Irish heritage and found humor that as an Irishman, he was President of his local Polish Falcon Club for years. 

Many weekends in the summer were spent at the family’s beloved cottage on Cedar Island in Clinton.  The laughs enjoyed over the many years were accompanied by delicious meals with wonderful neighbors.  When his grandsons were young, he would sit with them on the porch and tell “Sea Stories,” then head over in the boat to the dock and have breakfast.  When not at the cottage in warm weather, you could find Jim on a golf course.  Even though he played at 180 different golf courses and had two hole in ones, this game usually gave him more fits than anything.  Seems like each time he golfed, he complained about his “lousy game.”  He always said he was not going to pass away until he shot a 72.

And if he had free time on a Saturday in the fall, he would “buzz down” to Yale Bowl and watch the Bulldogs in action on the football field.  Going down by himself was never a care. Just head to Portal 26 and you could sit with any number of his friends from the Knights of St. Patrick who were gathered there at every home game.  When the Bulldogs busted through the line and scored, he would joyfully sing the Yale chant, really taking it up a notch when it came to “Bulldog, Bulldog, bow-wow-wow, Eli Yale.”  One of his favorite events every year was the Yale/Harvard football game.  After packing up his green Caddy the night before with plenty of refreshments, he would pick up the lasagna he ordered weeks ago from Robbie at Raggazinos and “buzz down” to The Bowl.  He made it easy for us kids to find and join him as he tailgated with his Knights buddies...his green Caddy had his Irish flag sitting on its roof and his brother Bob’s laugh could be heard blocks away.  He certainly loved that car, which usually came out of the garage only a few times a year, but always for this game.

Jim is survived by his two loving daughters who went above and beyond in taking care of everything he needed the past few years, Christine “Chrissy” Shanley-Buck and her husband, Ron, and Kathleen “Kathy” Shanley.  Additionally, he leaves behind very cherished and special grandchildren, Michael and Lauren Shanley, Aidan and Sean Buck and Camden Gould Scoggin.  All were without a doubt the joys of his life and the boys were greeted with a “hey pal” and the girls with a “hi sweetheart” each time he spoke with them.  Also surviving him is his sister-in-law, Donna Shanley, former daughter-in-law, Susan Kumro and numerous nieces and nephews.  Jim was predeceased by his beautiful and outgoing wife, Betty AKA “Bet” and “Betty Ann” or “Betty Boop” his beloved son, Michael J. Shanley, who’s passing he could never get over, and two brothers, Dick and Bob Shanley, of which the three created chaos when they were out and about together in New Haven and Hamden, and sister-in-law, Beverly Shanley-Scovin.

Chrissy and Kathy would like to give a special thank you to our dad’s dear and loyal friend, Bobby Dziedzic, who visited our dad often.  We certainly appreciated the visits and know he did as well.  Also, a huge thank you to all of the staff at All American Assisted Facility in Enfield. To list those that were beyond words in the care they gave to our dad would be to list each and every person working in that unit. It is so rare to find not only the care and attention, but the love they showed him and us.  We are beyond grateful to each and every one of you.  Regretfully, he will not be able to marry the dozen or so of you that he promised.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to the Lt. Michael J. Shanley Memorial Scholarship, c/o Christine Shanley-Buck, 358 West St., Plantsville, CT 06479 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105 (https://www.stjude.org/). 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024 from the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville, with an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at the Immaculate Conception Church, 130 Summer St., Plantsville. Burial with military honors will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Southington. Calling hours will be held from 4 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at the Plantsville Funeral Home. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.