Obituary of James B. Fox

James Brainerd Fox, a life-long resident of Stamford and Darien, CT, died on Thursday, September 25, 2008 at the Rosenthal Hospice Residence at Stamford Hospital at the age of 86. Born in Stamford on July 7, 1922, he was the son of the late Ethel Donaldson and James Cairns Fox, and the younger brother of the late John D. Fox and Lt. Myles C. Fox, USMC. Jim attended King School in Stamford, and was a graduate of The Hill School and the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. He retired from the Naval Reserve with the rank of Lieutenant after serving on active sea duty in destroyer-type vessels for 2 years during World War II, and 18 months during the Korean Emergency. In the 4-year interim between the wars, he was employed as full-time Executive Secretary of his national college fraternity, Phi Kappa Sigma, headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. On his release from the Navy, Jim worked for the Arthur Young Company in NYC while taking classes at Columbia. In 1951, he began working for American Machine and Foundry Company (AMF) in Greenwich, CT, first with its General Engineering & Products Division, and later with its Atomic Reactor Research Division in the "Atoms for Peace" program. In 1963, he joined the corporate financial staff of Warnaco, Inc. in Bridgeport, CT, and in 1970 joined the administrative staff of Stamford Hospital. He retired from his position as VP of Community Relations and Development for Stamford Hospital in 1985. A life-long sailor, he worked during summer vacations in his teens as a sailing instructor at the Stamford Yacht Club, and over the years competed in both one-design day racing and offshore ocean racing, including multiple Bermuda Races and Halifax Races. In later years, he spent time coastal cruising aboard the motor sailor Foxtrot, and aboard chartered boats in the Caribbean. He also enjoyed tennis, golf, travel with Marsie, frequent family gatherings, Wednesday night dinners at the Noroton Yacht Club, and get-togethers with the SOBs (Salty Old Boaters). He held leadership positions at the Noroton Presbyterian Church, the Rotary Club of Stamford, and the Noroton Yacht Club, and was an active member of the Darien Senior Men's Association. In addition, he was a volunteer in the Person-to-Person program and over the years had been a regular blood donor for the Red Cross. He is survived by two children: Dr. William B. Fox of Cape Elizabeth, ME, his wife Pam, and their children Rebecca, Christopher and Benjamin; and Jean Fox Doelp of Acton, MA, her husband Gregory, and their children Matthew and Andrew. He was predeceased by his first wife of 25 years, Nancy Bartram Fox, in 1979. He was also predeceased by Martha (Marsie) Tyler Saunders Fox, his second wife of 21 years, in 2007 and by Marsie's daughter, Jody Richard of Grosse Pointe, MI. He is survived by five of Marsie's children: Robin Saunders of Sunapee, NH; Holly Hawes of Darien, CT; William Saunders of Fairfield, CT; Lee Gaw of Nantucket, MA; Ned Saunders of Newtown, CT; their spouses, 13 grandchildren, and 1 great grandson. A memorial service will be held at the Noroton Presbyterian Church, 2011 Post Road, Darien, at 2:30 PM on Saturday, October 11, 2008, with the Rev. Samuel A. Schreiner presiding. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, and interment will be private. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820