Jim was born in New Haven on January 30, 1936, the son of James Shanley, Sr, Congressman and New Haven Probate Judge and Mildred Fleming a New Haven schoolteacher. Jim attended Hopkins ’53, Yale University ’57, he was a pilot in the Korean War in the 1st Calvary Division and the 7th Cavalry Regiment (Custer’s unit) and returned to Washington, DC, where he attended Georgetown Law ’63. He practiced in New Haven and Madison until he retired.
Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara, their children James Shanley (Karen) of Norton, MA and their children Ryan and Emma, Peter Shanley of Winchester, MA and his children Ila, Quinn and Kieran and Rebecca Gordon (William) of Higganum, CT and their children Liam and Riley. He also leaves Steven Shanley, Troy Maiocco, Royse Isleib, Dair Niecker and Michael Shanley and their families and his beloved pup, Penny. He was predeceased by a sister, Mary Louise (Nancy) DeYoung.
Jim was an avid reader and supporter of the Scranton Library in Madison. He was a passionate fan of UCONN women’s basketball, and a huge Yankees fan, which, he claims he was forced to follow once he married Barbara, after having grown up a Red Sox fan. Of late, he was embarrassed to admit he was a huge Giants fan.
He was very active in his children’s sports, coaching youth baseball and soccer. He coached the Daniel Hand ski team and he became the “unofficial” Daniel Hand gymnastics record keeper. He loved watching his grandchildren play Little League baseball, gymnastics and soccer.
He loved the Caribbean, boating, skiing and walking at Hammonasset State Park where he volunteered and worked after his retirement from law.
He could fix anything, although not necessarily correctly. Once returning from a family boating excursion to Long Island the engine died. After puttering for about an hour the engine finally started and when they got home he divulged the repair had been made with a bobby pin.
He always had a positive outlook on life and would say “when one door closes another would open,” and it always did. He was a gentle man who expected “best effort” from his children but when necessary, he disciplined with “the stare.’ He will be sorely missed.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, 801 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 06443, or Connecticut Hospice 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405.
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