James “Uncle Jimmy” Decato, 65, beloved brother, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully on

Wednesday October 18th at St Mary’s hospital with his brother Alan by his side after a long hard fought battle

with cancer.

James was born September 14, 1958 at Norwalk hospital to the late Gloria and Doran

Decato. James spent his early years growing up in Norwalk with his brother and mother before moving

to Danbury and Bethel for several years spending his teens and graduating high school at Bethel High

School, and then eventually moving and settling down in Naugatuck. James spent several years in his

teens working in restaurants before working over 35+ years for the Norwalk Company. James spent that

time building and repairing air compressors. His skills and knowledge had the company sending him on

repair trips from Texas to Borneo, and many places in between. James was a loyal employee to a fault

and always felt he could do more.

James was an avid outdoors men, spending his early years skiing the slopes at his uncles lodge in

Bennington Vermont, to later in life spending time bird watching, hiking, biking, and exploring new places and trails

with his GPS. A member of the NRA he enjoyed target shooting and shooting clay pigeons with his family

and friends. James was also a handyman on short notice, should family or friends ever need a helping

hand he was always there in no time at all. An avid reader and history buff, especially the civil war.

James was full of obscure and interesting historical knowledge and loved to share it.

Though sometimes they may have fought like cats and dogs and agreed on things as often as

Hailey’s comet passes by, the bond Jimmy and Al had was strong and devoted to one another, and

whether Al wants to admit it the ying to his yang or bullet to his gun.

Perhaps better known to most as Uncle Jimmy he was a devoted uncle and friend. Though he

would change his hobbies and interests like most people change their socks, one of his greatest loves

and adoration that never waned was that for his Niece and Nephew and later transitioning that

seamlessly to his great niece and nephews. James took great honor in being asked to be godfather to

his niece Ashley and fulfilled his duties exceptionally. One of James’ greatest joys in life was spending

vacations, holidays, and time in general with his brother Al and his nieces and nephews, well maybe just

his nieces and nephews. He may not have been related by blood but the love and caring Uncle Jimmy

expressed to them could rival any DNA test. Never missing a holiday, birthday, major life mile stone, or

just a Sunday dinner. A very special bond was shared between him and his great nephew Nicky and will

forever be best buddies.

“For I must be traveling on now, cause there’s too many places I’ve got to see.”

James is survived by his Brother Alan Decato (Nauagatuck), Chosen Siblings Salvatore and

Patricia Chieffalo (Stratford), Niece/Goddaughter Ashley Chieffalo (Stratford), Nephew Nicholas Sr. and

Michelle Chieffalo (Monroe), Great niece Allison Butler, Great Nephews Christopher Butler and Nicholas

ChieffaloJr, and many cousins.

James is predeceased by Mother Gloria Decato and several aunts and uncles.

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