James M. Branigan, age 81, of Prospect, entered into rest on Tuesday May 19, 2015 in Masonicare Health Center in Wallingford. He was born in Paisley, Scotland on Nov. 10, 1933, son of the late Henry and Mary (McLaughlin) Branigan and was a Valley resident for most of his life.
James was a truck driver, working for many trucking companies such as the former Wilson Freight, Country Home Bakery, and also operated his own business, St. Andrew’s Trucking Company, before his retirement.
James loved woodworking, fishing, was an avid tinkerer of anything that caught his fascination and was widely known at a human GPS. He was also a Army Veteran serving during the Korean War.
He is the devoted father of Eileen Branigan and her husband John Himmelberger, James Branigan, Jr. and his wife Tiffany and Mary Bernegger and her husband Joshua, loving grandfather of Matthew and Ian Branigan and Ella and Garek Bernegger, and beloved brother of Mary Fortier and Margaret Orazietti. He is also survived by his former spouse Rita Dargon and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call on Thursday from 4 to 7 pm at the Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home, 253 Elizabeth St. Derby. His funeral procession will leave the funeral home on Friday at 10:45 am for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am in St. Mary Church, Derby. Burial with full military honor will follow in Mt. St. Peter Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Smilow Healing Garden, P.O. Box 1849, Attn: Development Office, New Haven, CT 06508.
Online condolences may be left to his family at www.adzimafh.com.
