James R. Barra, 78, of Branford, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at Yale-New Haven Hospital with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of 46 years to Teddi Christopoulos Barra. James was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 7, 1939 and was the son of the late Raymond and Agnes R. Richetelli Barra, and Gertrude Lips Barra. He served his country faithfully in the US Marine Corp. James was the owner and operator of the former Barra’s Café, first in Fair Haven, and later in East Haven, for 30+ years until his retirement. He had volunteered at the Columbus House, Yale-New Haven Hospital, and various New Haven Public Schools, and was a faithful blood donor with the American Red Cross. Father of Kim Barra (Scott Farrington), Dina Donofrio (Lou), Kathy Blodgett (Paul), Chris McNulty, Michele Burch (Adam), and James Barra (Melissa). Grandfather of Alana, Emily, Louie, Nick, R.J., Cori, Shane, Matthew, Remy, Sydney, Dylan, Jake and Sophia. Great Grandfather of Clark. Brother of Bob Barra (Cathy), Raymond and Elizabeth Barra, predeceased by sisters Agnes Toland, Ruth “Sissy” Seery, and Jean Barra. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend, Jim loved unconditionally and he will truly be missed. The family owes a debt of gratitude to the amazing cardiac, CICU, and VAD teams at YNHH. You all are forever in our hearts!
Family and friends are invited to go directly to St. Francis Church, 397 Ferry Street, New Haven on Tuesday morning at 11:00 to attend a Mass of Christian burial. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. The visiting hours will be Monday from 4 to 8 pm at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Columbus House, 586 Ella Grasso Blvd, New Haven, CT 06519
I am so sorry for your loss!
Dear Teddi and family,
My family and I extend our sincerest and most heartfelt condolences on the passing of Jimmy. The memory of him giving me his dress blues uniform when I enlisted in the Marine Corps is one that will last forever. My father chose Barra’s Café as the location of my going away party because he knew what a great man Jimmy was and that I respected him. — and Teddi, the only thing I miss about no longer attending those weekly meetings is not seeing you!
Semper Fi
Kim we are sending you and your beautiful family our deepest sympathies on the passing of your beloved Dad. Although we never met him we feel like we knew him because of the many stories you shared of him, your Mom and your family. We know he had a rough few years and we are grateful that he is finally at peace. But still it’s your Dad (husband, grandfather, brother) that you have lost and losing anyone you love is so difficult. I know how proud he must have been to call you his daughter. Sending our deepest sympathies to the entire Barra family.
Teddi–Please accept my sincerest condolences. Throughout this ordeal, you have been a tower of strength and resilience. You came to work through it all, and still had the interest of New Haven Public Schools and its families dear to your heart. I am confident that you have fought a good fight, supporting and being at the side of your husband. You have shared fun things and jokes that make us laugh despite what you were going through, especially the one where he went outside to work and didn’t tell you he fell. Your reaction to it was hilarious. God has given you a sense of humor despite what was happening. I am truly sorry to hear this sad news. May God be with you and your family. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Iline
Dear Teddi my deepest condolences to you and the family. I was very fortunate to have Jim support my efforts at Columbus School. His calm demeanor and consistency in providing support to our students was beyond the expectations we had for a volunteer. You have always been one of my beacons, I hope I can be a support to you. My regards to all of you. Thank you for sharing Jim with us.
Kim. I am very sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family. Your father was a great man. May he RIP.
The passing of a Titan.
Kim, I am so sorry for your loss. Your father sounds like a wonderful man who made a meaningful mark on the world and on those he loved. You are very lucky to have had such a strong, good father. And that goodness continues through you and the love you spread. Condolences to your entire family. All best, Louise Crawford
Teddy – I am so very sorry to learn of the passing of your husband. My thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time.
Teddi
Love and prayers to you and your family. The love you and Jim share made me believe in “and they happily ever after.” You are and always will be my hero!!
Love
Laura
My prayers to you and your family. May God’s peace be with you. Remember he will be with you always.
Always,
The Warners
Dear Teddi,
My sincere condolences to you and your family. May you find comfort with your family and friends, and may happy memories remain with you always.
Burt
Dear Teddi and Family,
We want to express how grateful we are to have known Jimmy and for meeting someone so special. Our lives have been changed for the better. He was a friend like no other. He had a kind, gentle, giving spirit. We will miss our dinners together and our boating adventures at 3 mile harbor. We will especially miss Jim’s pool game. He was always there to save the team. Words can not express the loss that we feel. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Cathy and Bob.
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Memories Eternal! Shirley
Teddi,
My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. May you find comfort and peace in the fond memories of Jim.
Kim, my deepest sympathy to you and your whole family. We followed his health struggles that you shared with your church family and rejoiced when he overcame them. Losing a parent is terribly hard. The only comfort you can take is that he is out of pain and his struggles are over. We love you!
Teddi, my wife and I extend our sincerest condolences to you and your family. Your beloved has fought a tremendous challenge and ordeal for far too many years. Through it all you have continued to be a tower of strength and have supported him to the end. Always, always, despite the many set backs, you have maintained a firm, positive attitude. You also did not allow the enormous amount of setbacks and interruptions interfere with your enormous responsibilities and duties as Director of Transportation. We hope you can find some comfort and peace remembering the wonderful memories you shared with him. May God rest his soul.
Our sincere sympathy and condolences at your time of loss
Teddi,
I’m so sorry for you loss, my deepest condolences to you and your family. My he R.I.P.
Kim, sympathy and prayers to you and your family. In church you have shared your joys and concerns about your Dad and you all have been in my thoughts and prayers.
Teddi,
I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kim, your father was an amazing person. May God comfort you and all of your family at this difficult time.
What a wonderful life, so well lived and loved.
Hi Kim (and Teddi),
So many years have passed since the days I fondly spent hanging out with you at your house on Foxon Rd. You would hopefully remember me as Lisa Sabino from East Pearl Street in New Haven. We went to Fair Havem Middle School together. My mom just told me of Jim’s passing. Having just lost my own dad a couple months ago, I had to send my condolenses to you, Teddi and your family. I remember your dad as a wonderful man, always a smile and kind heart. Someone said to me where there is great grief, there was great love. I know Jim was beloved my many.
May he rest in eternal peace. I am leaving my email if you would like to get in touch. My sympathies to Teddi.
laurora@ulbrich.com Lisa M. Sabino Aurora
We grieve with you over the loss of your wonderful Jim. Your family is testament to his kindness and generosity. Those traits will never die. He is with all of you always. Though we shared time especially at hockey with. You and Jimmy, our sympathy is for all the the Barras.