Obituaries: James E. Neighbors, Jr., died on Jan. 25, 2014

James E. Neighbors, Jr., of Redding, formerly of Dutchess County NY and Ridgefield, died on January 25, 2014.

He was born in Poughkeepsie NY on June 16, 1929, the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. James E. Neighbors.

Jim graduated from The Hotchkiss School, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Advanced Management Program of the Harvard Business School.

In 1995, retired, he moved from Dutchess County NY to Fairfield County CT. He served for a time on the Ridgefield Symphony Board. He was a member of Founders Hall in Ridgefield.

He also belonged to Wilton Presbyterian Church, where he sang in the choir. He served on the board of WEPCO (Wilton Episcopal Presbyterian Corporation), including as president.

He spent many years working for Housatonic Habitat for Humanity of Danbury, where he organized the Thursday Crew for building houses. He also worked in their ReStore, repairing items for resale.

Jim was a fine amateur cabinetmaker who specialized in 18th-century reproductions, and he made grandfather clocks for his grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jane Bleecker Fox. He also leaves daughters Keryn Jane Neighbors Geho of Cross Junction VA and Daryl Ann Neighbors Filandro of Mendham NJ; sons Arthur Griffin Neighbors of Madison CT and Christopher David Neighbors of Cornwall on Hudson NY; and four grandchildren Benjamin Thomas Geho, Caroline G. Neighbors, Thomas Edward Neighbors (Ted), and Alisdair Edward Neighbors (Alex).  His sister, Ernestine Neighbors Hardenbergh of Ohio, and one son, James Edward Neighbors III, predeceased him.

A memorial service will be held Friday, January 31, at 10:00 a.m. at the Wilton Presbyterian Church, 48 New Canaan Road, Wilton, CT 06897.

Donations in his memory may be made to Housatonic Habitat for Humanity or Danbury Hospital.