NEWPORT – James “Jim” Ready, 81, passed away Jan. 9, 2012. Jim was born May 29, 1930, in Dover-Foxcroft, a son of Robert and Thelma (Richards) Ready.
After attending schools in Abbot and Dover-Foxcroft, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1952 to 1954, and was a Korean War veteran. In his earlier years Jim was employed by local woolen mills, Great Northern Paper Co, and also bought, sold and repaired sew-ing machines. His later ventures included several successful small businesses, including owning and operating Bar-L Ranch, Newport, and various real estate ventures and sub-divisions. In each endeavor Jim was known for being very sensitive to people’s needs. In his spare time Jim loved traveling to Las Vegas, Reno, Nev., Atlantic City, N.J., and Foxwoods in Connecticut, and was well known in these places. Jim was very proud to be an Irish Potato Famine descendant with his ancestors arriving from County Tipperary, Ireland, and County Meath, Ireland, in 1841. He purchased and installed monuments for every one of his ancestors who did not have one. Jim loved his nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his faithful and loving companion of 31 years, Donna Provost of Newport; seven nephews, John Ready Jr. of Verona Island, Ronald Ready of Windsor, Daniel Ready of Detroit, Stephen Ready of Dexter, Bruce, Craig and Neil Maneeley, all of South Windsor, Conn.; two nieces, Jackie (Ready) Estrella of Dexter and Roberta (Ready) Bubar of Burnham; many great-nieces and great-nephews; stepchildren, Laurie Hanscom of Dexter, Johnna Nightingale of Charleston and O’Keefe Provost of Old Town; seven grandchildren; and a special brother-in-law, Bill Maneeley of East Hartford, Conn. He was predeceased by two brothers, Richard, in 1978, and John, in 1996; and his sister, Marilyn, in 2006.
Friends may call 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at Crosby & Neal Funeral Home, 117 Main St., Newport, where funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday with Pastor Al Worden officiating. Spring burial will be in the Ready family plot at Dover Cemetery, Dover-Foxcroft. Those who wish may leave written tributes at
www.CrosbyNeal.com.