James Jim McAuliffe

James F. ""Jim"" McAuliffe, 87, loving husband of 65 years to Beatrice (Beaulieu) McAuliffe, died peacefully on November 29, 2011 at Hartford Hospital with his son David by his side. He was born in East Hartford to the late James J. and Mary (Brannigan) McAuliffe and was a lifelong resident of East Hartford and an avid fan of the New York Yankees. Jim was a retired lieutenant in the East Hartford Fire Department. He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran paratrooper, decorated with a Purple Heart, served in the 17th airborne division and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Besides his loving wife Beatrice, Jim is survived by his two sons; Jimmy and his wife Judy, David and his wife Glenda, and his daughter, Kathi Milne. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren Melissa (McAuliffe) Peoples, Adam Zuraw, Jaime McAuliffe, Jennifer (McAuliffe) Clark, Ryan Milne, Katelyn (McAuliffe) Waite, Kristin (McAuliffe) Miller, Michael McAuliffe and 12 great-grandchildren.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, December 17th at 11 a.m. at St. Christopher Church, 538 Brewer Street, East Hartford. Burial, with full military honors, will be at Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. Contributions in Jim's memory may be made to East Hartford Fire Department - EMS Fund, 31 School Street, East Hartford, CT 06108 or VA Connecticut Healthcare, 555 Willard Avenue, Newington, CT 06111. D'Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. For on line expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com.