James F. Powers, Jr., 80, of Branford, beloved husband of 58 years to Bernadette Brawley Powers, died peacefully Nov. 16 at Yale-New Haven Hospital due to the complications of Pneumonia. He was born in 1932 in Brooklyn, New York to the late James F. Powers Sr. and Genevieve “Jennie” McLaughlin Powers.

He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in Bronx, New York, and attended Fordham University before receiving a congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with the class of 1955 and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force with an MOS in electronics VTNV, Nuclear Physics and training. He was stationed in Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Germany, France, and Maine.

 James resigned from the United States Air Force as Captain in 1961. He was very proud of his service and regularly attended Naval Academy reunions and associated events. James graduated from St. John’s University School of Law in 1965, concurrently teaching high school chemistry and mathematics while attending law school. He earned a competitive appointment as attorney for Mobil Oil Corporation in Manhattan, and worked for a period with Warner-Lambert Company in New Jersey and Connecticut. He returned to Mobil Oil in New York in 1975, and transferred to Fairfax,Virginia in 1980, where he enjoyed watching his family grow up. James served as patent counsel for each of the Mobil Oil research divisions. He took an early retirement but continued his law career in private practice until recently. James defined his personal wealth with great pride, his most cherished gift was his family. He was a dedicated husband and father, always supportive of his wife, family and wide circle of friends. He was a true gentleman who never hesitated to reach out to help those in need. 

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his nine children, Annemarie and her husband Michael Moore of Hamden, Mary and her husband Michael Warner of Bethany, Gail and her husband Wayne Hirst of Warrenton,Virginia, Kathleen Powers and Ralph Marino of Branford, James Powers and his wife Catherine of County Mayo, Ireland, Maureen Powers of Stafford,Virginia, Robert Powers and his wife Heather of Bethany, Steven Powers and his wife Jami of Centerville,Virginia, and Stephanie Powers-Loughry and her husband Christopher Loughry of Stephens City, Virginia; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister Kathleen McMahon of New Jersey; brother Donald Powers of New York; and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his sisters Ann Moore and Patricia Mahoney.

Friends may call Thursday, Nov. 21 from 4-8 p.m. at the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Branford. Burial will take place at a later date in the United States Naval Academy Columbarium in Annapolis, Maryland. The W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, Branford, is in charge of arrangements. For directions and online memorial see www.wsclancy.com.