James D. Marinan Jr., 92, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2025. Born in Hartford, CT, November 15, 1932, he was the son of the late James D. Marinan and Helen Fallon Marinan. Jim is survived by his five children, Moira Balog (Bruce) of Glastonbury, CT, James L. Marinan (Sharon) of West Hartford, CT, Tracy Freese of Newport, RI, Katie Marino of West Hartford, CT and Carolyn Hills of West Hartford, CT. He also leaves his 10 grandchildren, Danielle Balog Leibowitz, Jennifer Balog, James M. Marinan, Marissa Marinan, Whitney Freese, Caroline Freese, Matthew Marino, Tyler Marino, Carter Hills, and Cole Hills. He was fortunate to meet several great-grandchildren and leaves behind Aiden and Rhys Leibowitz, James Greigh and Callan Marinan and Hattie Hills.
Jim was predeceased by his loving wife Carol Eagan Marinan, his beloved daughter Alicia Marinan Lemmel, and is survived by Alicia’s husband Casey Lemmel and his dear companion Janet Hinkle. Also surviving is Jim’s companion Ann McMahon. Jim leaves two brothers Kevin Marinan and Brendan Marinan. He was predeceased by his brothers Shaun Marinan and Brian Marinan.
Following Jim’s undergraduate degree at Princeton University in 1954, followed by his military appointment with the US Marine Corps and having received his J.D. from The University of Connecticut School of Law, Jim spent most of his professional career with the corporate law department of the Travelers Insurance Company, retiring as Vice President and Associate General Counsel. He then enjoyed a second career with the New York law firm of Hawkins, Delafield, and Wood as Resident Connecticut Counsel, and managed that firm’s regional office in Hartford, CT.
He served as a town councilman in West Hartford and was a member of the city zoning board of appeals. He was a past President of the Kingswood Old Boys Association, and the William Hall High School PTO, as well as past President of the Princeton Association of Central Connecticut. He was a member of the Hartford Golf Club and served on the parish council of the Church of St. Timothy. He also served as President of the Young Lawyer’s Section of the Hartford County Bar Association.
During his business career, Jim spent many years at the Connecticut State Capital representing the legislative and regulatory insurers of the Travelers Corporation, and the Insurance Association of Connecticut. He was Chairman of this organizations’ government relations committee. He also was an active member of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, The Greater Hartford Chamber of Commerce, and the Health Insurance Association of America. Jim was also a member of the Princeton Club of New York, The Tiger Inn Club of Princeton, NJ, and the Princeton Club of Southwest Florida.
Jim and Carol enjoyed their retirement in Newport, RI with occasional winters in Naples, FL. He was a member of Wanumetonomy Golf and Country Club and The Newport Point Association, The Preservation Society, The Newport Art Museum, and The Newport Historical Society.
Jim’s family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff of St. Clare Home for their love and care of their father.
Visiting hours will be held Friday, April 4 from 3:00-6:00 pm at the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring St, Newport. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, April 5 at 10:00 AM, St. Mary’s Church, corner of Spring St and Memorial Blvd, Newport. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery, 465 Brown’s Ln, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Jim may be made to either the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org, or to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd, Newport, RI 02840, www.mlkccenter.org/
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