Born in Norwalk, CT on November 1, 1932, James Carroll Cousins peacefully passed from this life on March 26, 2023 at Chestelm Health and Rehabilitation in East Haddam, CT. He is now happily reunited with the love of his life, Marcia Sperry Cousins. They had enjoyed a rich 76 years together.
Jim graduated from Norwalk High School and later, Gould Academy, in Bethel, ME. He then graduated from Central Connecticut State University, where he was voted MVP during their football team’s undefeated season. After service in the US Army, he began his first teaching position as an Industrial Arts teacher in Bridgeport, CT. He later taught in Redding, Norwalk and Oxford, CT where he was named Teacher of the Year multiple times. In addition to his teaching years, he oversaw the construction of a number of fine homes in Redding and Darien, including 2 of his own. He rounded out his professional life as a yacht broker for nearly 10 years.
Since he was a young boy, Jim had a passion for boating on Long Island Sound and a love of the Norwalk Islands, where he would often camp with friends. He enjoyed water skiing, from a boat and skis that he himself crafted in his parent’s garage. His love of the water led him to seek a captain’s license and a summer job as a launch captain at Hickory Bluff in Rowayton, where he spent many memorable summers and made lifelong friends. In addition to boating, Jim enjoyed all things outdoors. As a boy, he was an avid hunter with his Grandfather and later with neighbors and friends as a member of the Norwalk Rod and Gun Club. He was a skilled marksman and carried the designation of Sharpshooter while in the Army.
After marrying Marcia, they lived in Norwalk, until their first child, Kate arrived. It was then that Jim built their first home in Redding. Kate was followed by Maura, and then James, Jr. (Kye). Shortly after, the family joined Shore and Country Club in East Norwalk, where they kept their boats, "Tükawile" and later "Snail's Trail". Many family memories and life long friendships were made there. Jim was known to be a ready host with a heavy hand when mixing whatever the crew of friends on the dock was drinking. Jim and Marcia went on to become Centurion Members at "The Club".
The family enjoyed countless weekends and summers aboard their boats cruising Long Island Sound, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Their favorite destination was Block Island, where one stormy day, they and several of their flotilla friends purchased a rambling old former boarding house, Sunnyside.
Jim and Marcia instilled a love of boating and a strong sense of family and lasting friendships in each of their children. Jim is survived by his daughter, Katherine Evans and her husband Robert, of Guilford, CT and Palm Beach, FL, his daughter, Maura S. Cousins of Block Island, RI, and his son, James Jr. (Kye) of New York, NY and Mexico City, Mexico. Services will be private.
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