James A. Shortell, a 71 year old Ansonia resident and husband to Joan Harrison Shortell passed away May 3 surrounded by his family. He was born August 22, 1954, son of the late Matthew “POP” Shortell and Bernice Kiley Shortell.
An Assumption School graduate and parishioner of the Church of the Assumption, James at one time was Assumption School’s basketball coach where the 1979-1980 team won the State and New England Championship. He was a sports and avid baseball fan especially of his beloved Chicago White Sox. He worked for Birmingham Utilities and Regional Water Authority before his retirement. James loved vacationing on the Clinton Shore with his family and his brother Jojo and his family.
He is survived by his son James Shortell and partner Stephanie of Thomaston, daughters Kayla Gatavaski (Ian) of Wallingford, and Lauren Michalak (Jim) of Seymour, siblings Matthew F. Shortell III (Kathi) of Glenmont, N.Y., Maryanne Mangano (Ron) of Orange, Elizabeth Lynch (Thomas) of Ansonia, Patrick Shortell (Christine) of Ansonia, Steven Shortell of Shelton, and Michael Shortell (Lorri) of Ansonia, sister-in-law Kristin Shortell of Derby, granddaughters McKenna & Shea Gatavaski & Delaney Michalak.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brothers Joseph & William Shortell, and sisters Susan Coughlin and Dorothy Shortell.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 9 at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of the Assumption in Ansonia. Burial will be private. Friends may call on Friday evening at The Jenkins King & Malerba Funeral Home, 12 Franklin St. Ansonia from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Dragonfly Donations | CTNNB1 Connect and Cure for CTNNB1 syndrome in honor of his granddaughter McKenna.