Michael C. James of New Haven, CT entered into eternal rest on May 1, 2021.
He was born on June 19, 1961 in New Haven, Connecticut to Vannie Sr. and Betty James. He was the youngest son of eight children, having five brothers, Carlton, Rivera, Vannie Jr., Ronald, Andre and two sisters, Jeannette and Wanda.
Michael accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized. He was a member of Bethel AME Church in New Haven, Connecticut for a number of years and Mount Aery Baptist Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut for a number of years.
He was educated in the New Haven public school system attending Quinnipiac Elementary School, Betsy Ross Middle School and graduated from Wilbur Cross High School as the Class President in 1979. Michael received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science at the University of Connecticut (Storrs).
Michael retired from the State of Connecticut, he was a Parole Officer. He was once married for over 7 years. Michael was a member of the Eta Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. He became a Mason in Oriental Lodge #6, Prince Hall Incorporated of New Haven. He was elected as the Worshipful Master and served a term of 4 years.
Michael was actively involved doing charitable work in the greater New Haven area supporting good causes. He mentored young men and took individuals under his wing, while promoting a brotherhood and academic excellence.
Michael was born as a leader into our family, he navigated through his siblings, directing, guiding and leading them. He did a very good job in taking charge of things in the family. Michael knew how to get things done and the family admired him for that.
Michael enjoyed traveling, he vacationed in South Africa and Brazil to name a few. He was always traveling and visiting friends and relatives. He also enjoyed relaxing in cigar lounges smoking his cigars and enjoying the ambience. He was also an avid reader.
Michael is survived by his loving mother, Betty James of New Haven, CT, brothers Carlton Bell Sr. (Cathy) of New Haven, CT, Vannie James Jr. (Deborah) of Hamden, CT, Ronald James (Maria) of New Haven, CT, Andre James, Sr. of Hamden, CT, sisters, Jeannette James and Wanda James of New Haven, one Uncle, Walter Bell of Cleveland Ohio, a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his father Vannie James Sr. and brother Rivera James.
A memorial service to celebrate Michael’s life will be held Saturday, May 8, 2021, at 10:00 A.M. at Trinity Temple Church of God in Christ, 285 Dixwell Ave., New Haven. Masonic and Fraternal Services will begin at 9:30 A.M. Services will be live-streamed via the Trinity Temple C.O.G.I.C. Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TRINITYTEMPLECT/
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Hey Bro. I will miss you. You were an amazing friend and we had such good times together. Sending my prayers and condolences to your family. I know where ever you may be your laughing. Love you bro. ??
Rest in peace Mike, a good man and friend.
Rest Easy Owl!!
The Brothers of Angry Ashes Cigar Club LLC in Bham AL extend our condolences to the family of our Dear Brother. He served this organization faithfully & was a great asset. We greive his lost with you all!!
My brother Mike, I am at a loss of your passing, shocked to say the least, but the GOD we serve knows best! I thank GOD he allowed our last time of fellowship, to grace each other, with great conversations, a great cigar along with a taste of good whiskey ??? SIP… Sincere condolences to the family! Mike was a gem ????
Many thanks brother for allowing me to share with you and the family over the years. We have shared many good times together, and for that, I am eternally grateful ?. Keep that positive light shining and continue to uplift those around you. Honor Frat!
Peace & Love
Mike…..words cannot express how heartbroken I am since learning of your passing. I prayed so much in hopes of your full recovery. While I know you are in a better place, it still doesn’t make sense to me. I will miss our weekly calls and the guidance you always provided me. You were more than a mentor to me over the course of the 25 years I knew you. I will eternally be grateful for the time I got to know you and celebrate you while you were here on this earth.
I will pray for your family as they try and manage your loss.
Love you big bro….you will need we be forgotten.
Dakibu
I enjoyed my brother Past Master and all of his lodge brothers. I’m thankful to God for the fellowship and the promise from God that we’ll see him again.
Dear James family I want to thank you all for this
magnificent person that you all have created and allowing him to enter into my life a true brother a true man worthy of all the praise . I would like to wish my deepest and sincere condolences to the entire family. Andre be strong my brother as I know you can warm regards,
CHAPPELL family.
I wanted to rest in power my brother you will be truly missed I will remember the good times we had when you come down for our rising those memories will help me get through this you are H.E.M.151 forever ❤rest in power my brother and we get to heaven I no doubt God will say well done my good and faithful servant ?to the family my deepest condolences for your loss my grant you mercy during this time of bereavement ?
A great Brother /G\, friend, and his legacy will live on through us.
Wow Michael The Good Die Young ?
Too The Family Y’all Have My Deepest Sympathy and Prayers??.
You Will Be Missed But Never Forgotten My Childhood Eastern Circle BuddyFriend…
R.I.Paradise I’ll Always Love You ??.
To the James family,
May you find comfort during this difficult time. Hold tight to the joyful moments shared with Mike. You are all in my prayers
Keeping the family in prayer…Rest in Peace Mike
Love, Eileen Williams Esdaile
Mike, rest easy King, as you transition to the kingdom! It was a pleasure getting to know you in high school where it was fun and educational, later reuniting in the work environment. What stood out was the college tours every year, taking some of our less fortunate youth on the HBCU college tours. Your passion for the youth is definitely first class. You will be missed by all that knew you, a man of brilliance. A man of many words, your legacy will continue echoing in the winds.
I love you King! SIP
My Sincerest Condolences to the Family and Friends of Michael C James. Bless your hearts! Michael, my dear brother, the last time we spoke was on April 5th. Thank you for mustering up the strength. Little did we know! Thank you for being you! Rest your soul (Miguel).
Peace
C Joe Hundley
My sincerest condolences to the family. Michael was truly a shining star and joy to all that he graced with his presence and friendship. Even though, I am deeply saddened to hear of your passing. You enriched my life with your sense of humor and friendship. I will miss you dearly.
Love You,
Teer
Condolences to the family. So sorry for your loss. Will keep the family in prayer. God bless you all.
Mike we love you. You will be deeply missed. All the stories you shared and told will never be forgotten. The calls just to say I’m thinking of you will always be evidence of your caring. Ill always remember our missions and late nights in parole. The A-Team will never be the same without you.
My sincere condolences to the family for your loss. May God surround you with his grace to bring you comfort.?️
We will all miss him.
Rest in peace my gd brother 21 yrs of being my Masonic brother and freind on behalf of myself and Mornigstar Lodge#44 Baltimore Md condolences to the family
Michael you was my master in oriental lodge. I will always remember the respect @ love you @ your brother Andre showed to me @ my wife.
Michael was a such a positive and kind young man. I didn’t see him often after high school, but when we crossed paths we always took time to bring each other up to speed. Rest in Honor kind and gentle man??
On behalf of the Fleming family,
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the Michael’s family. May you find strength and comfort in the days ahead and may the beautiful memories bring peace to your hearts. Our prayers are with you❤
My condolences to the James family. I’m so heartbroken. R.I.P. my friend!
Michael wow this one cut deep. I have no words to express my sorrow. I will always remember our talks and how you kept me laughing. Sending prayers out to your family. Rest in Paradise my friend. Love you!
Michael you always made me laugh; your wit was infectious. You will be missed. Well done. Sleep peacefully.❤️
Michael; you will be missed. You served and gave your best so that life would be better for the next generation. Thank you for your service- thank you for the words of wisdom delivered with compassion and humor. May you rest in paradise and may your legacy live on! May God bless the James family.
My sincere condolences and sympathies to the James Family and may the blessings of God shower you with strength & compassion during these challenging times!!!
Stay Strong
I knew Michael from working at DCF in Stamford. Michael was always so pleasant, and always willing to share his opinion , he loved to cook, and enjoyed eating when he did. I can surely say he was one in a million. He will truly be missed. We will hold on to our memories of Michael. Rest well
My sincere condolences to the James family. I thought of Michael as one of my sons. He was a very special individual in so many ways. He will be greatly missed.
Rest in peace my Brother in that house not made with hands, eternal onto the heavens. Brother James and I always had great conversations whenever we met up. We had MUCH to talk about being both Masons and Alphas. I miss you already.
Prayers and condolences from Wanda Nobles and family during this time of bereavement. God’s comfort and blessings to all.??
So sorry to hear another great loss. To the James family, may god cover each of you during these times. I pray for God’s comfort, love and peace upon the family.
Michael you will never know how much you meant to me. I thought you would be here with us physically a lot longer than you were. We will never forget you. Rest well my dear cousin until we meet again.
VIckie
Past Master James was the Salaam of his era. May Allah be pleased with his all of his fast, deeds, and efforts. He was the living expression of faith, hope, and charity. He will be sorely missed.
My condolences to the family of Michael James. Michael was a good and loyal friend. I first met Michael when I interviewed him for a job as Manager of my then store, Everything Yogurt in the Chapel Square Mall. Michael worked with me for several years until I closed the operation. His dedication and loyalty to me stretched far beyond Everything Yogurt. We remained friends over the years and am deeply saddened by his loss. Rest in Peace my friend, you will be sorely missed.
My sincere condolences to the James family.I use to give bus rides to the International African Arts Festival in Brooklyn New York.This is how I met Brother Michael.He was for his people.We would talk about the history of our people.Learn a lot from him.Rest in peace.
My condolences to the Family & Friends. Mike was THE REALEST Brother I ever met. We became good friends through our Cigar Club (Angry Ashes), & he was always available when I needed advice. I can hear his famous greeting, “What Up Black Man” now, and he always ended our conversations with the word “Blessings”. You will truly be missed!! Blessings My Brother! Rest In Power to The Owl!!!
The Officers and members of Redemption cannot express the lost that we all felt in the passing of our brother PM Mike James. May the family keep the faith, and our prayers will always be with the James family
Mr M. James I always remember talking with you: If I could walk by and hug you I would; Cause you walk that walk in life journey.:Faith is your Resurrection Brother?
I am so saddened to learn of Michael’s passing. Smart, loyal and true is how I will remember him. Well done beloved. Thank know God’s grace was sufficient then and will continue to be sufficient.
Blessings Michael. Blessings
Our condolences to Mrs. Betty James and Family. We are saddened by the loss of Michael.
Ms. Pearl Toney and Jacquie Johnson💖💖💖🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽