James J. Aglio, Jr.

It is with profound sadness and unrelenting grief that we announce the passing of James Joseph Aglio Jr., beloved husband, extraordinary father, doting Grampy, devoted son and loving brother and uncle on August 16, 2023.

Born on April 22, 1952 and raised in New Britain, he attended local schools and was a 1974 graduate of Quinnipiac College (University). After graduating Quinnipiac, Jim began a long and storied career in retailing with Ames Department Stores in their merchandising division. Among his many responsibilities, he traveled the world over sourcing merchandise for Ames stores.  Jim was a well respected “merchant” in the retail industry and was admired for his business savvy and shrewd negotiating skills.  He retired from Ames in 2001 with the title of Sr. Vice President, General Merchandise Manager, Home Division.

An avid reader and pundit on global and US economics, he was always willing to share his perspective on the stock market, investing and economics and was often called upon to discuss his opinions with friends and family as well as being sought out for investing advice.

His love of eclectic musical genres brought him to attend countless live concerts over many, many years.  He and his wife Linda enjoyed diverse talents such as Omar Sosa, Ramsey Lewis, Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, The Band, The Allman Bros., Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson, Nora Jones & Natalie Merchant to name a few, but none held his heart as closely as The Grateful Dead, having rocked out to their shows an estimated 150 times. 

Outside of his career and during retirement, Jim enjoyed extensive travels with his family to such destinations as Europe, Australia, Fiji and his beloved Maui.  In addition to his love of music and travel, Jim was well known for his passion of fine wines and dining. Entertaining friends and family always entailed a well planned menu and the appropriate wines to compliment his meals.  A true Oenophile, he loved to share his knowledge of vintage wines with anyone who had the slightest interest in learning.

But first and foremost in his life was his love for, and pride in, his children and grandchildren.  He set an exemplary model as a father, grandfather and loving husband.

A resident of Kensington for the past 38 years, he was pre-deceased by his father, James Joseph Aglio Sr.   He will be forever remembered and cherished by his wife of 37 years Linda (Mazur), children Dr. Taylor Aglio (husband Dr. Ryan Chauncy) of Glastonbury, CT, Dr. James Joseph Aglio III (wife Dr. Lena Aglio) of Miami, FL, brother Russell Aglio (Traci) of Chester, CT, sisters Cheryl Aglio-Girelli (Alan) of Needham, MA, Patricia Skidmore (Mark) of Killington, VT, mother Betty Jane Aglio of New Britain, grandchildren Oliver James and Josephine Grace, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A memorial service with be held on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023 at 11:30 AM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home of Berlin, 111 Chamberlain Hwy, Kensington, CT. Calling hours will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of the service.

The Aglio family would like to acknowledge, with heartfelt gratitude, the Hartford HealthCare at Home hospice team at MidState Medical Center for the loving and compassionate care they provided during Jim’s in-patient hospice stay. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory can be sent to: Hartford HealthCare at Home-Hospice Program, 1290 Silas Deane Hwy., Wethersfield, CT 06109 or to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research at Lustgarten.org.

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