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An extraordinary gentleman. Three words that best define Jim. Jim Beardsley, a kind and gentle soul, changed peoples’ lives. He enjoyed helping others and was good at it. He was a person of warmth, boundless enthusiasm, and positive generosity.

James Beardsley, 89, son of Franklin and Irene Kelly Beardsley, died after a brief illness on March 12 surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born on April 2, 1927, in Bronx, New York. He graduated from Manhattan College and was a 1st lieutenant reserve commissioned officer in the US Army. In 1949 Jim married and lived in Yonkers, New York, before moving to Clinton with his wife Jackie in 1956. He worked for several insurance companies before opening his own agency, Beardsley Insurance Agency.

Jim was a volunteer extraordinaire. He was very active in numerous town organizations and had a tremendous love for his community. Some of his civic and local involvements were: Board of Directors of Clinton Chamber of Commerce; chairman and member of the Police Commission; chairman of the Board of Tax Review; chairman of Community Development Action Plan Agency; chairman of the Republican Town Committee; member of Westbrook Elks; Justice of the Peace; chairman and member of the Park & Recreation Commission; founder and president of the Clinton Touchdown Club; and coach for several youth teams for many years. He started the recreation department’s Biddy Basketball program and was chief umpire for Little League. Most important, he was a 50-year member of the Clinton Rotary Club and three-time president; chairman of the Rotary Scholarship Foundation; head chef for the bluefish dinners at the town’s Bluefish Festival; and proud founder, beginning in 1997, of the Clinton Rotary Cancer Relief Fund, which has provided more than $300,000 in financial assistance to cancer victims and their families.

Jim received several awards in recognition of his community involvement: the Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award, the Town of Clinton Spirit of the Year Award, Irishman of the Year, Republican Town Committee Distinguished Service Award, and Rotary International’s Paul Harris Award.

He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees, New York Giants, Boston Celtics, and UConn basketball. Jim embraced and thoroughly enjoyed the many wondrous aspects of life. He was selfless and humble, always ready with a joke, funny story, or his famous “words of wisdom” he shared with his Rotary “family.” What a contagious smile he had and anyone who knew him sensed his genuineness. Many were drawn to his passion for life, infectious humor, and dedication to family and friends. With a warm, beautiful personality, he gave undivided attention to all and engaged everyone to make them feel special and valuable.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Jim is survived by his daughter Deborah Richards (Mark) and son James G. Beardsley (Dora); and his grandchildren Kyle Richards (Jackie), Drew Richards (Priscilla), Kimberly Beardsley-Carr (Mitch), Timothy Beardsley, and Gregory Radawich (Sarah), James Radawich (Michella), and David Radawich (Heather). Jim adored his eight great-grandchildren, Adeline and Brooks Richards, Avery Beardsley-Carr, Tyson, Athena, and Zoe Beardsley, and Quinn and Miles Radawich. Jim was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Jacquelyn; daughter Joanne Beardsley-Brecciaroli; and two brothers, Franklin and Gerard.

We were blessed to have Jim in our lives. His memories are reminders of the past and the importance of the present. These will remain in the hearts of family and friends.

Calling hours will be held at Swan Funeral Home, 80 E. Main St., Clinton, on March 17 from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at First Congregational Church, 55 Church Rd. (U.S. Rte. 1), Clinton, on March 18 at 11 a.m. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family, at Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Clinton. To sign the online guest book, go to www.swanfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s memory to Clinton Rotary CRF, P.O. Box 558, Clinton, CT 06413.