James M Pennock Sr. (Jim) AKA Grumpy, died just after midnight on Monday 1 October 2012. He was in Marblehead, MA at The Lafayette with his family. Jim was 92 years old and had been saying for the past 5 years, "I'm satisfied, I've had a good ride." He was a great father and friend and joker with an admirable work ethic. Jim was a caring guy, and long time resident of Clinton, Connecticut with his wife, Pat, (Eleanor), sons Chris now in New York City, Jim in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and daughter Sheila in Windham, Maine. He was born in Syracuse, New York.
Soon after Pat's passing in December of 1979, he began volunteering at a Hospice in Branford, Connecticut where he made others laugh and helped them cope with their own end of life experience. Always an optimist he'd have a quote to support the notion that good always prevails. We only need to let it.
Jim was remarried to Elizabeth (Betsy) Barhoff Hull in 1981 and they lived in Clinton until Betsy passing in October of 1998. Jim stayed in Clinton for a few years until moving to Marblehead to be closer to the rest of his family.
Forever a United States Marine, conversations would often include some reference to the Corps or some anecdote or one more story about being stationed on Guam or China, and training at Parris Island, or Tank School on Jacques Farm out in San Diego.
After getting out of the Marine Corps he attended Rochester University was in ROTC there and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He then worked for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Engines in Hartford, Connecticut before joining Clinton Nursery Products where he was sales manager and production engineer until he retired.
He leaves many happy memories, many people who are better off for having known him, and some really funny jokes. Many will miss him.
A memorial mass will be given at St. Mary's Church of the Visitation on Grove St. in Clinton, Connecticut at 10:00 on Saturday 10 November 2012.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Dad's name to either the Wounded Warriors Project - www.woundewarriorsproject.org or the Hospice - www.hospice.com.