James K. Meehan, 80, of Rocky Hill, husband to Joan (Coughlin) Meehan, passed away on Sunday, December 31, 2023 at Hartford Hospital shortly before the fireworks of First Night lit up the sky over his beloved city, the same city he patrolled as a young police officer. Born in Wallingford, the son of the late John B and Helen (Broderick) Meehan, he grew up in Wallingford and graduated from Lyman Hall High School. In the summer of 1960 at Lake Pocotopaug in East Hampton, he met his best friend Joan and for the next 63 years never left her side. Jim and Joan married on October 14, 1961 at St. Lawrence O’Toole Church in Hartford and settled in Hartford and West Hartford with the birth of their two children, in 1962 and 1963. At the wise urging of Jim’s beloved father-in-law, Ed Coughlin, Jim joined the Hartford Police Department in the fall of 1963 to forever protect and serve not only his wife, son and daughter but everyone who crossed his path for the remainder of his career and his life. Jim retired as Assistant Chief in 1993 when his first grandchild was 3 and his second was just a newborn. He arrived to Hartford Hospital in his dress blues to commemorate the birth. His third grandchild followed in 1994 and his fourth in 1998. At the age of 20, a young husband and father, Jim’s humble and distinguished journey in law enforcement began that one day allowed him to retire to watch his grandchildren grow up into the remarkable young adults he molded and rejoiced over. On October 1, 2023, he and Joan welcomed their first great grandchild making all their dreams come true.
In addition to Joan, son James Kevin, and daughter Kelly Meehan Williams he leaves his second daughter (in law) Cynthia Howard Meehan, his grandson Conor James “Conman” Meehan and wife Sarah Zelaya, granddaughters Annie Mary “Annie girl” Williams, Erin Bourke “Eerie” Williams, Ireland Vardy “I-baby” Williams and his great granddaughter Ruby Valentina Meehan. Jim also leaves to remember him his “favorite” sister in law, Veda Coughlin Oliva and her husband Nick, his brother Sean and his wife Susan, his brother Peter and his husband Dr. Orlando Canlas and his sister Margaret “Peggy” Meehan and her wife Judy Klein.
Jim was pre deceased by his parents, John and Helen, his in laws Ann and Ed Coughlin, his brothers in law Edward Coughlin, and Joseph W. Cunningham, Jr., as well as his aunt, Lucy Tosca.
During the course of Jim’s month long illness his many treasured nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews travelled daily from near and far to spend time with him. Each and every one of them shared their own special relationship with him that could only be characterized as second father. Special recognition goes to his niece Sarah Annie who lovingly oversaw his care, his nieces Leslie Ann and Erin Elizabeth, and his best friend Tom Panella and his wife Rosemary. The day before Jim died his “pal” the “little guy” Bear Williams always by his side, slept next to him one last time.
Joan, James and Kelly are immeasurably grateful to Dr. Inman Kureshi, and the neurosurgery team at Hartford Hospital, Dr. Jeffrey L. Cohen, Jim’s doctor and dear friend of many years and the entire staff on C9 ICU and 11N for their comfort and care.
A mass to honor Jim’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, January 13 at 10am at Holy Trinity Mission Church, 53 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT, lead by Father Charles Jacobs. All are welcome. Burial is private.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations would greatly be appreciated to Tunnel to Towers, PO Box 70719, Philadelphia PA 19176-0719. The Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home has care of the arrangements. To extend condolences, please visit Farleysullivan.com.