James Kane Larin, 78, of New Milford died peacefully on June 6. Born in Great Falls, Mont., he was the son of the late Kathleen (Kane) and David Patrick Larin. He resided in Newtown for more than 45 years.www.pdf.org, or the Cyrenius H. Booth Library, www.chboothlibrary.org.www.honanfh.com.

Mr Larin had a distinguished career, spanning 35 years as the vice president and general manager of Laser Optics Inc of Bethel. He had also worked for the Picker Corporation, Beckman Instruments, Inc, and Boeing. He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in chemistry in 1962.

His devoted wife of 52 years, Nancy Jo Larin; his loving children, Kathryn Larin, and husband Maurice Kinyanjui, and Kane Larin, and wife Mary McCagg; and four grandchildren survive him.

Over the years, Mr Larin gave of himself to countless charitable and civic organizations. He served as president of the Newtown Library Board of Directors, president of the Regional YMCA, president of the Optical Society of America in its Fairfield Division, and was a founding member of the Newtown Cellini Society. He was also an active member of the Newtown Lions Club, where he organized Newtown's first Great Pootatuck Duck Race.

Mr Larin was an avid golf, tennis and badminton player and over the years shared his love of sports with Newtown's youth, coaching both soccer and basketball teams. He loved traveling, gardening, cooking gourmet meals and reading. He valued precious time spent with his wife and family, most of all.

A memorial celebration will be held for friends and family on Sunday, June 19, at 4 pm, in the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation,

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