James H. Pray

He was born in Braintree, MA on December 8, 1928, the son of Roger E. Pray and Gladys (Kelly)Pray. Jim was one of 10 children. He married the former Phyllis M. Vient on October 15, 1950 in East Milton, MA. Jim was a WWII veteran stationed on the USS Fargo. He started his career in Sales working for Prudential Insurance. He moved his family to Connecticut in 1961 from South Weymouth, MA to Niantic and started his own business, Pray’s Paint and Wallpaper. First on Bank St. in New London then moved to Waterford. He was very successful and retired after 32 years in business. He was active in the Rotary Club, the VFW and past Commander of the American Legion Post 128 in Niantic. He also loved playing cards and golf. He was a loyal Red Sox and New England Patriots fan.

Besides his wife Phyllis of over 60 years, he is survived by his three daughters Kristine (David) Meaney of Groton, Kathleen (Michael) Ahrens of Daytona Beach, FL and Kim (James) Davis of Niantic, his daughter-in-law Lorna Pray of Niantic. He is predeceased by his son Michael J. Pray. Jim has nine grandchildren, Douglas, Eric, Sara, Matthew, Brian, Andrew, Justin, Karen and Kellie, five great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Calling Hours will be held on Friday, February 12, 2016 from 12:00 until 3:00pm in Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Lake Ave., Niantic, CT 06357 with a service to follow at 3:00pm also in the funeral home. Please visit www.fulton-theroux.com for tributes, directions and more service information. The family would like to thank all of the staff at Bridebrook Healthcare in Niantic and Fairview/Oddfellows Home in Groton for their care during his time with them. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to either the American Legion or the VFW in Niantic or the New London Community Meal Center, P.O. Box 945, New London, CT 06320.