Wolcott- James E. Roberts, Jim, the beloved husband of Dana (Erwin) Roberts, died Friday, July 7, 2017, in the VITAS Innovative Care unit at St. Mary’s Hospital after a brief illness, surrounded by loved ones. But no hospital room -- or hospital -- was big enough to hold all the people who loved Jim. You could fill the stands at one of the NASCAR tracks he visited with the people he touched over his life.

Jim, who served in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division from 1977-80, spent the last 30 years as IT director for Boehringer Ingleheim pharmaceutical company.

Jim Roberts jumped out of airplanes for the Army, owned a piece of the Green Bay Packers and named a star in the sky. He went to every major league ballpark, traveled the world for business and pleasure, was a huge success in his job, all the while being a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, father-in-law and grandfather. Jim’s life was wonderful. It was just much too short.

Jim was born April 20, 1959, the son of the late Edgar and Jeanne Roberts. He graduated from Kaynor Technical High School, where he was on the cross country team.

Besides Dana, he leaves three sons: Josh Roberts and his wife, Katie, of Wolcott; Matthew Roberts and his wife, Carla, of Southington; and Justin Roberts and his girlfriend, Tia Perry, of Southington. He leaves four brothers: Ron Roberts and his wife, Doris; David Roberts and his wife, Liza; Richard Roberts and his wife, Anita and Stephen Roberts and his wife, Janet; and three sisters: Sue Keparutis and her husband, Leo; Dyanne Boucher; and Denise Abate and husband, Ron. He is also survived by his three grandchildren, Owen, Sydney and Brooke Roberts, who will miss their beloved Pop Pop.

He also leaves a large extended family and countless friends. Jim had a huge heart and a friendly disposition that made you instantly like him. Whether he was at home, in Ocean City, Maryland, Dubuque, Iowa or anywhere around the globe, Jim could strike up a conversation with a stranger, who would quickly become a friend. He loved his biological family and his relatives by marriage the same. There was no "in-law" with Jim. He proved that by not only having his mother-in-law live with him, but naming a star for her.

Jim and Dana found each other early in life, and they had a perfect relationship. Dana would do the cleaning -- and no one loves cleaning like Dana -- and Jim would do the cooking. You might not eat until 10 at night, but the jumbalaya or whatever Jim conjured up would be worth it. Dana would go see Jim's rock bands, and Jim would sit through Celine Dion and a comedian who did his act in French to make Dana happy. They were married for nearly 35 years, and if life were fair they would have had another 35 years of joy together.

Besides his family, Jim loved the Red Sox, UConn and NASCAR and especially the Packers. Jim owned a share of stock in the team, and even named one of his dogs Lambeau, complete with a Packers collar. Who whoops and hollers during preseason games without a bet on the line? Jim, that's who. Who paints his shed in Packers green and gold and researches the colors to make sure he gets them exactly right? You guessed it.

Arrangements: Calling Hours will be held on Thursday, July 13, from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at Woodtick Memorial 420 Woodtick Rd., Wolcott. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 9:30 A.M. on Friday at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Church in Waterbury. Burial will be private. T
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Harold Leever Center. Jim's family would like to thank Dr. Victor Chang and Stephanie, Karen and Tammy from the Harold Leever Center. They would also like to thank St. Mary's Hospital and VITAS.

And his loved ones would like to thank Jim for his 58 years on Earth. Thank you for all the great meals. Thanks for all the driving you did on vacations, even when you drove the wrong way on a one-way street. Thank you for a lifetime of laughs. Thanks for the gift of Josh, Matt and Justin. And thank you for all the happiness you brought to Dana and all of us.

Our memories and love will last as long as that star you named is shining.
 

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