John Sheldon Mix

John Sheldon Mix, 85, died August 11, 2010 in Wallingford, CT, following an eight month illness. Born in Stamford December 6, 1925, John was the son of Rev. Ralph Hooker Mix and his wife, Ina Thresher. John graduated from Stamford High School with Class of 1943. Beginning January 1944 he served two years in the Maritime Service with trips to the Orient, Africa, Cornwall, Italy and Paris and received his discharge from the Coast Guard. In 1946 John returned to work at Excelsior Hardware Company in the South End. Manufacturers of luggage hardware, the company was founded by his grandfather, Elisha Mix in 1889. Starting as a toolmaker, certified by J.M. Wright in 1949, John worked at Excelsior for over 50 years, retiring in 1990 as Manufacturing Superintendent. John loved the water and enjoyed sailboating, even in less than perfect weather, starting with the boat he owned for one day before the hurricane of 1938. He was also a “barber-shopper”, for several years, singing with a group in Fairfield and Bridgeport, including a TV appearance on Channel 12. He was a serious photographer, processing his own film for many years. An active member of First Presbyterian Church for over 50 year, he served as a Trustee several terms, as chairman of the Maintenance Committee and put in many hours working on projects in and around the buildings. John is survived by his wife of 58 years, the former Dorothy Hines, his daughter Laura F. Mix, his son Frederick R. Mix and two granddaughters, Amber and Ashley Winski. He is also survived by one sister, Jean Thompson of Waterloo, Iowa, as well as several nieces and nephews and also cousins in Kansas. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by one sister, Frances Bradford Stoddard of Iowa and his brother, Ralph Thresher Mix of Florida, formerly of Stamford. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday August 28th at 1:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church of Stamford, 1101 Bedford Street, Stamford. Gifts to his memory may be given to First Presbyterian Church of Stamford, 1101 Bedford Street, Stamford 06905.