Erwin "Jim" Wetmore, beloved husband of Beverly Brain Wetmore, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2022 in the Hospital of St. Raphael surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 5, 1937 in New Haven to the late Clement and Marion Kirk Wetmore. A lifelong resident of Hamden, Jim graduated from Hamden High School in 1956. After graduation he went to work for Professional Equipment Company, repairing and installing X-Ray equipment all over the state. Eight years later he was hired by Yale-New Haven Hospital as their chief radiological engineer where he worked for 35 years, retiring in 1999. While at Yale he built a lung biopsy needle to diagnose lung lesions. At 17 years old, Jim joined the Mix District Volunteer Fire Co. and was still an active member until he passed. He was Captain for many years and felt very honored that he could help his community in a town that he loved. During the Flood of '82 he rescued two people marooned in Mill River and was later cited for heroism. He was also on the committee that started the Hamden Firework Display. After retirement, he went to work for Cloudland Paint and Utility Communication Co. As an active member of the Mt. Carmel Congregational Church, he served on many committees over the years. Never one to sit around, you could find Jim on the golf course, fishing, hunting, hiking, or making molasses cookies. He loved it when family or friends needed his help fixing anything that wasn't working. He was a devoted husband, proud father and grandfather, loving brother and uncle, and faithful friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Jim will be remembered by his five boys, Ray (Becky) of Hamden, Roger (Lana) of Cheshire, Rich (Michele) of Windermere, FL, Ron (Tricia) of Wallingford, and Tom (Betsy) Purtell of Cheshire; his daughter, Jennette (Bob) Battipaglia of Cheshire; 22 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother, Paul (Betty) Wetmore; sisters, Gloria Scarpa and Lila Stevens; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Predeceased by his siblings and their spouses, brother, Duane (Helen and Sharyn) Wetmore, Gladys (Stan) Brown, Laura (Gerald) Wolf, Ellen (Roy) Alling, Viola Wetmore and Murial Wetmore; and brothers-in-law, Mike Scarpa and Fred Stevens. The family would like to thank the staff of Verdi 5 and SLA 5 for the exceptional care and empathy he received.
Friends may visit with his family on Monday, October 3rd from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday morning in the funeral home at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Memorial donations may be sent to the Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org , or to the charity of your choice.