James A. Sautter

James Alexander Sautter, 65, of West Haven, CT passed away at Yale New Haven Hospital several days after being diagnosed with brain cancer. James was born in Bridgeport, March 5, 1961, son of the late Daniel and Jean (Hourigan) Sautter. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Danny. James grew up in Bridgeport, where he attended St. Ambrose grammar school, graduated from Warren Harding High School in 1979, and briefly attended Housatonic Community College. During his youth he loved playing basketball, baseball and soccer.

James enjoyed spending time with his long-time West Haven pals Bill, Bonnie, Kevin and his Best Friend Forever, Debbie Gray, near The Lone Sailor statue at Old Grove Park and at Orange Garden Apartments. He also enjoyed spending time at West Haven Beach, and following the Yankees, Giants and UCONN’s Men and Women’s basketball.

James was a funny, caring and wonderful brother and uncle, and is survived by siblings David Sautter, Sheila Sautter, and Joan Ventrilio (James), niece Katey Ventrilio, and great-niece Gabriella Manville. He is also survived by several cousins. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

James was very appreciative of, and his family would like to sincerely thank, all those social service workers in Bridgeport, Waterbury, New Haven and West Haven who assisted James throughout his adult life in gaining housing, nutrition and mental health disability assistance and counseling; including Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center, and its physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors, and clinical and administrative staff, all of whom provided James with exceptional medical and mental health care; the City of West Haven, Department of Human Resources, Nutrition Program; Savin Rock Communities, West Haven and its Housing Office; the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services, and The United Illuminating Company.

James’s family would also like to send their deepest thanks to all the physicians, surgeons, nurses, social workers, clinical and administrative staff at Yale New Haven Hospital’s Emergency, Vascular, Neurosurgery and Neuro-Oncology Surgery departments who provided James with skilled and compassionate care and end-of-life comfort.

There are no calling hours. Interment will be private. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.beecherandbennett.com.