James Alix

James E. Alix, 72, of West Hartford, beloved husband of Joan Houle Alix, passed away at home on Friday January 27, 2006. Born in Worcester, MA the son of the late Arthur J. and Mary G. McNamara Alix, he attended St. John?s High School, and the College of the Holy Cross. At Holy Cross, James received both his B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry in 1955, and 1956 respectively. After graduation he worked as a research chemist for Union Carbide in Cleveland Ohio. He later received his J.D. and L.L.B. from the Georgetown University School of Law in 1962 while serving as a law clerk for Chief Justice Eugene Worley in the U.S. Court of Customs and Patent Appeals. James also served as a Patent examiner in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He moved to Connecticut in 1962 where he eventually became senior partner at Alix, Yale and Ristas, in Hartford representing clients such as Dexter Corp., Travelers Insurance Co., Stanley Tools, and Veder Root Co. before his retirement in 2000. He was President of the Connecticut Patent Law Association, served as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, and was a member of CT Bar Association Ethics Committee and the CT Intellectual Property Law Association. He was a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Hartford, serving as President of the Parish Council and Home School Association, and singing in the Church Choir. His love of music lead to his involvement in the Choral Club of Hartford and West Hartford Squires where he also served as president. Additionally, James was a youth basketball coach in West Hartford. Jim enjoyed cross country skiing in Vermont, his summers in Maine, gardening, and was proud of his home made bread. His jovial nature, hearty laugh and warm smile will fondly be remembered. In addition to his wife, James is survived by his six children; Jonathan and his wife Kim of Charlotte, N.C., Maura Alix Meece of Groton, MA, Shelia Rogowski and her husband Robert of Highwood, IL, Matthew and his wife Theresa of Glastonbury, Timothy and his wife Noelle of Simsbury, Kristin Alix Herzog and her husband Nathan of Granby; ten grandchildren, Isabella Alix, Emily and Carina Meece, Joseph and Brynn Rogowski, Grant and Clayton Alix, Caroline, Cate, and Claire Alix. He is additionally survived by a sister Carol Alix of Stratford. James was predeceased by two brothers, Arthur and Francis. Funeral services will be Thursday at 9:15 a.m. from the Molloy Funeral Home, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society P.O. Box 1004 Meriden CT 06450, or Hartford Area Retarded Citizens HARC 900 Asylum Ave. Hartford CT 06105. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com