James S. Rio

James S. Rio, 101, passed away on June 30, 2017.  He was born January 6, 1916 in Berlin, CT, son of the late Vincenzo and Vincenza (Bazzano) Rio.  He was the husband of the late Philomena (Camp) Rio who died in 1968.  He is survived by his son James V. Rio and wife Deborah (McKeon) Rio with whom he made his home for 35 years.  He is also survived by his loving grandchildren Michael J. Rio and his wife Vrinda of Boston MA and Kayla Kriscenski and her husband Brian of Melrose, MA.  Jim leaves behind his beautiful great granddaughter Vera Rio and unfortunately was not able to greet his new great granddaughter, Avery, who is expected to arrive in a few weeks.  Jim was predeceased by his sister Angeline R. Mirante, his brother Frank P. Rio and his dear nephew Lewis J. Mirante.  He leaves many nieces, nephews and their children. Jim was raised in New Britain and graduated from New Britain High in 1935.  In 1940 he was a member of the first class to graduate under the newly named University of Connecticut, receiving a B.S. in economics.  Jim was called into military service on August 1, 1941 after the outbreak of World War II.  He was promoted to staff sergeant while serving in the U.S. Army and went to England in advance of D-Day in April of 1944.  He was assigned to the 14th Personnel Replacement Depot and his company entered the European Theater of Operations on June 22, 1944 shortly after D-Day.  He was stationed in Thionville, France until the end of the war and was honorably discharged on Nov. 15, 1945. Jim’s career in the financial field began at Universal C.I.T. Credit Corp. working in Philadelphia, Hartford and Waterbury where he served as branch manager until 1960.  He became a loan officer with the Plainville Trust Co. and later served as Asst. Vice President and branch manager at the Farmington and Unionville offices.  Jim retired from banking in 1981.  Jim spent his early retirement years playing golf and taking trips to Las Vegas and the CT casinos.  He was very handy and enjoyed fixing and making things.  He was a member of the Plainville Senior Center, Plainville AARP, VFW Post 574, and an honorary 4th Degree life member of the Knights of Columbus, Rev. Gerald T. Corrigan Council #3544 where he served as treasurer for many years.  Jim was a long time parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy, Plainville, where he rarely missed a mass even in his later years (thanks to Lisa Mandeville). Above all, Jim most enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren whom he was able to watch grow up, graduate from college, get married and become successful adults.    He was a large part of their lives and will be forever cherished by them.

Funeral services for Mr. Rio will be celebrated on Monday beginning at 9:00a.m. from the Bailey Funeral Home 48 Broad Street in Plainville to Our Lady of Mercy Church 94 Broad Street in Plainville for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Saint Mary Cemetery in New Britain Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jim’s honor to the Connecticut Law Enforcement Memorial, P.O. Box 815, Glastonbury, CT 06033.

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