James Edwards Alston

Obituary James Edward Alston James Edward Alston, aka "Papa or Uncle James" peacefully transitioned to be with his Lord and Savior at Bridgeport Hospital on April 15, 2024. James was born on November 21, 1943, in Beaufort, South Carolina to the late Joseph Jeremiah Alston and Sadie Ford Alston. James was well educated and known for his hard work, dedication, and team building abilities. At the age of 20, he joined the United States Navy where he served as a radar operator/technician, and as a Second-Class Petty Officer, along with attending the U.S. Navy School of Electronics. Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, James continued his education at Norwalk State Technical School and Mission College for management development. He then used his leadership skills and technical education to start a career in the semiconductor and metrology industry. James had over 25 successful years of management experience in his field where he was responsible for managing hundreds of workers across the country. He also worked very closely with his supervisors, handled customer relations, and field operations. Throughout his career, he actively used his knowledge and experience by developing a variety of programs to make field operations, employee management, and customer service more efficient. James had a life full of travel and loved visiting new places with his family. Traveling helped him to continue indulging in his favorite sport; golf and fortunately there were golf courses mostly everywhere he traveled. If he wasn’t on the course playing a few rounds with his great friends Dick and Steve, James was happily watching golf on television. His other passions included exploring nature and cooking. James had hobbies he could take with him everywhere, including his love for singing. He grew up singing in his school choir and continued his musical journey by performing with the Naval choir while in service. When you see the beautiful family that James Alston helped create, and you hear of the positive impacts he had on those around him both personally and professionally, it is no surprise that he always felt a reason to sing! He loved to sing Amazing Grace, which brought him memories of his spiritual walk. He is survived by his loving wife, Vera Alston for over 40 years, stepfather to Nicole Joseph and husband Emmanuel Joseph, Sr., and grandfather to Emmanuel Joseph, Jr. As well as by his loving sister Jerrie Crenshaw, sisters-in-love Verna Atterberry, Gloria Ancrum, Emma Ancrum, and Sandra Alston, and brother-in-love Kenneth Ancrum (Chiyoko). He was also known as “Uncle James” to his many nieces and nephews and their families including Kimberly Francis (Robert), Jennifer Charles, Jessica Perry, Shavon McNeary (Robert), Kevin Atterberry, Karen James (Robert), Gregory Alston (Lurlene), Kyla Rouzier (Monye), and special grandniece, Jenna. He was predeceased by two brothers Joseph Jeremiah Alston and Julius Ford Alston and beloved Mother-and Father In-Law, Grover and Viola Ancrum. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 22, 2024 at Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, followed by a service of celebration at 12:00 pm, Pastor Cory Soulsbury officiant. Interment with Military Honors will take place on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 1:00 pm at the State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown, CT. The service will be streamed on both Facebook and YouTube. Links below: Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Stamford, CT. (facebook.com) Faithtabct (youtube.com)

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James Edwards Alston

November 21, 1943 - April 15, 2024