May 23, 1951-February 7, 2024

Jim Ratcliffe passed away surrounded by loved ones listening to his favorite tunes from The Grateful Dead.

Jim lived a fascinating life sailing around the world countless times, first when joining the Navy after graduating from Newtown High School in 1969 and then as a merchant marine for over 45 years. For the majority of that time he was the Chief Engineer of The Zeus until he retired in 2019.

In his free time he stayed busy welding, chopping wood for his wood stove, or tending to his sanctuary which was his childhood home.

He is survived by his siblings John Ratcliffe of Cocoa Beach, Fla., and Eileen Ratcliffe of Southbury; his nieces and nephews Sam & Cathie Saxton of Pawleys Island, S.C., Jason Saxton of Watertown, James & Jessie Elliott of Roslindale, Mass., and Lindsay Ratcliffe of Atlanta, Ga.; and his great niece and great nephews Zach Saxton of Gafney, S.C., Josephine “Liv” Elliott of Roslindale, Mass., and Jasper Elliott of Roslindale, Mass.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Sidney and Olive Ratcliffe.

“Captain” Jim, may you be blessed with fair winds and following seas as you embark on this next voyage.

In lieu of flowers Jim’s family is asking for those who wish to donate to consider the following: Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England (SBAGNE), PO Box 681, Natick MA 01760, 888-479-1900 or sbagreaterne.org; or Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 A.C. Skinner Parkway — Suite 100, Jacksonville FL 32256, 877-832-6997 or woundedwarriorproject.org/.