James Henry Bickford, 68, of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Wednesday December 24, 2014 at the Saint Raphael Campus of Yale New Haven Hospital surrounded by his children. James was born in New Haven on January 24, 1946 and is the son of the late Charles Henry Bickford and Carmen Bura Miranda Bickford Hunter. He served his country faithfully in the Air Force during the Vietnam era. He was a printer, machinist, mechanical engineer, and worked for the Hamden Board of Education until his retirement. Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing and collecting model trains.  Father of Catherine (Erich) Waldinger of Bradenton, Florida, Brandan Bickford of New Haven, CT and Chad Bickford of North Haven, CT. Grandfather of Christina McCartin-Rodriguez of Florida, Michael McCartin of Connecticut and Ethan Cox of Florida. Brother of Paul Bickford, Catherine (Sisto) Tarquino and the late Charles Bickford. Former husband of Hsiao-Hui Tsuei (Lucy Spaar). Margaret Smith was a longtime friend

His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Tuesday morning at 9:30. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Barnabas Church at 10:00. Interment with full military honors will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery in West Haven. The visiting hours will be Monday from 5 to 8 pm.