OBITUARY

Jim Wallace,

former town councilor and civic leader

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James A. Wallace Sr., a Lewis High School graduate who was a popular civic leader and businessman in Southington for more than 30 years, died Monday at the age of 81.

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A U.S. Army veteran, he was married to Joan (Wendt) Wallace, retired Southington High School teacher and English Department chairperson who retired in 1997 as the school system's language arts coordinator.

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Mr. Wallace was active in the community with numerous clubs and organizations and had served as a selectman for several years before being elected to the second town council in 1969. He served two terms and did not seek re-election in 1973 but returned to the council in 1979. He served as vice chairman during the 1981-1983 term. He sat out the next two years and sought re-election in 1985. He retired from public service in 1989. His son, James Wallace Jr., served as a councilman from 1993 to 1999.

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His business, Wallace Jewelers, was a downtown landmark for decades before it was destroyed by fire in the summer of 1980. After the fire, Mr. Wallace went to work for Lux, Bond & Green.

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For his years of service to the community, he was awarded the 1985 UNICO Gold Medal of Honor.

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The funeral will be held at 9:15 a.m. on Christmas Eve from the DellaVecchia Funeral Home to a 10 a.m. mass at St. Dominic Church, where Mr. Wallace had been active since its organization 40 years ago. Calling hours are today from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will take place in St. Thomas Cemetery.

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For full obituary or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.dellavecchiafh.com.