James F. Moraveck

Jim was 91 years old, and is survived by his wife, Billie; brother, George (Cassie); his 5 children, Maria (Dennis), James, Daria, Christopher (Kathy), and Michael (Deborah); and his 8 grandchildren, Nicholas, Jillian, Jamie, Kasey, Christopher, Ali, Luke, and Devin. He was also blessed with four more grandchildren by marriage: Samantha, Brandi, Daniel, Nicole and one great grandchild Charlotte. He also has many extended family members in Wisconsin and New Jersey.

Jim was born February 11, 1932 in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Growing up, Jim spent much of his time on his grandparent’s farm in Cadot, Wisconsin – which inspired a lifetime love of gardening, hunting, and fishing. He attended St. John’s University in Minnesota, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in chemistry. At school, Jim was known to be “a ham” and “the life of the party”; he played football and was lead in the play, Brother Orchid. He later did his post-baccalaureate studies in chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh.

Jim served in the United States Army as a cook during the Korean War. It was there that he learned to cook for large groups, which he continued to do for his family, friends, and employees throughout his life. Jim certainly showed his love through food and always made sure everyone, but most importantly, the dogs, were well fed.

Jim began working for Allied Chemical in New Jersey, where he met his future wife, Billie Mercurio. Family lore has it that Jim liked to flirt with the office girls, but one day while the guys were playing ball and the girls were having a blanket lunch, Billie caught his eye. The rest was history – they married on January 23, 1960. In 1961 they packed up and moved to Shelton, Connecticut and bought their first and last home. Jim took a job as a research chemist with Olin Corporation and together, they raised five kids born within six years of each other!

While at Olin, Jim developed his first weather resistant aircraft coating. Olin was no longer interested in developing the coating for commercial sale, but Jim decided that it was a good business opportunity. When he told his boss that he was leaving to start his own advanced aircraft coating company, his boss told him that he would never be successful. Jim set out to prove him wrong!

He started CAAP Co. in 1976 in a small warehouse with one employee and a typewriter. From the start, CAAP Co. was a true family business; Billie typed-up labels while the kids packed up orders for the coatings. Jim worked long days while Billie kept the household running at home, caring for five teenagers. As CAAP Co. began to make money, Jim hired more employees and quickly became known for his generosity. He cooked lunch for his employees every week, developed a workplace garden, and always made sure that his employees and their families were taken care of.

Over the last 47 years CAAP CO developed many advanced aircraft coatings for customers throughout the world. Ed Dubord, one of CAAP Co’s first employees, stated it well when he said, “Jim changed and dominated the specialty aircraft coating industry.” Jim never tired of his job and worked every day until he was 90! Many of us have Jim and CAAP Co. to thank for changing our lives for the better and we are eternally grateful that he chose to pursue his crazy dream.

When not at work, Jim loved spending time outdoors gardening, fishing, or hunting with his dogs. We know that he has been reunited with his beloved pups and hope that they are all getting along for him! His kids and grandkids look back fondly on the annual planting and harvesting of potatoes from his home garden. Jim spent many weekends cooking and celebrating with his family. A favorite were bluegills that he caught in local ponds and fried up by the dozens.

Jim had a profound impact on the lives of his family and friends. He was a man of few words, but of ultimate generosity and love for those he surrounded himself with. We miss him dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held, Saturday, July 15, from 12-3 pm at 44 Park View Lane, Monroe, CT, 06468. We would love to see you – please feel free to stop by and pay your respects or to stay for the whole celebration! In the spirit of Jim, blue jeans are welcome, please wear whatever makes you comfortable. This will be an informal event, with lunch and celebrations to be held under a tent outside.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Connecticut Humane Society (https://cthumane.org/?form=chswebsite) or the charity of your choice.