JAMES "JIM" READY
NEWPORT - James "Jim" Ready, 81, passed away January 9, 2011. Jim was born May 29, 1930 in Dover-Foxcroft, a son of Robert and Thelma (Richards) Ready. After attending schools in Abbot and Dover-Foxcroft, he served in the US Marine Corps from 1952 - 1954 and was a Korean War veteran.

In his earlier years, Jim was employed by local woolen mills, Great Northern PaperCompany, and also bought, sold and repaired sewing machines. His later ventures included several successful small businesses including owning and operating the Bar-L Ranch in Newport and various real estate ventures and sub-divisions. In each endeavor, Jim was known for being very sensitive to people's needs.

In his spare time, Jim loved traveling to Las Vegas, Reno, Atlantic City, and Foxwoods and was well known in these places. Jim was very proud to be an Irish Potato Famine descendant with his ancestors arriving from County Tipperary and County Meath, Ireland in 1841. He purchased and installed monuments for every one of his ancestors who did not have one. Jim loved his nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his faithful and loving companion of 31 years, Donna Provost of Newport; seven nephews, John Ready, Jr. of Verona Island, Ronald Ready of Windsor, Daniel Ready of Detroit, Stephen Ready of Dexter, Bruce, Craig and Neil Maneeley, all of South Windsor, CT; two nieces, Jackie (Ready) Estrella of Dexter and Roberta (Ready) Bubar of Burnham; many grandnieces and grandnephews; step children, Laurie Hanscom of Dexter, Johnna Nightingale of Charleston, and O'Keefe Provost of Old Town; 7 grandchildren. Jim leaves behind a special brother-in-law Bill Maneeley of East Hartford, CT. He was predeceased by two brothers, Richard in 1978 and John in 1996; and his sister Marilyn in 2006.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 P.M. Thursday, January 12th at the Crosby & Neal Funeral Home, 117 Main Street, Newport, where funeral services will be held 11 A.M. Friday with Pastor Al Worden officiating. Spring burial will be in the Ready family plot in Dover Cemetery, Dover-Foxcroft. Those who wish may leave written tributes at www.CrosbyNeal.com