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Thursday, January 25, 2018
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The family of James Tatro uploaded a photo
Thursday, January 25, 2018
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Barbara A. Hitchcock posted a condolence
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Hello Candice, Our most sincere condolences on Jim's passing. I'm Ellie's daughter. I have something to send you, but I don't know your home address and I can't find Mom's address book. Can you email me your home address please? I have so many fond memories of visiting with Gen and Oris when I was a child and Jim watching out for me. What a wonderful man. He shall be missed by his students, family and friends. "Bobi" Hitchcock
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Waldemar Kostrzewa posted a condolence
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Dear Tatro Family: Although I find emailed messages rather impersonal--particularly for condolences--I have decided this may be the most efficient way to share my thoughts with the entire family. I trust technology will make it easier and faster to let you all know how much I respected Jim as a person and professional colleague. I had the honor of working with Jim from 1974 to the time he left Manchester Community College. During June of 1974, I had just joined Central CT State University's Extension College, the unit responsible for evening and summer classes. It was the office most closely associated with continuing education, adult learning, and other academic offerings then targeted primarily for working folks--the kinds of people for whom Jim worked tirelessly. I was the new kid on the block searching for someone to show me what a successful credit and non-credit program ought to look like. My boss at the time, Russ Tupper, said the best man in the region was Jim Tatro at MCC. He knew his stuff, made it all work, and was willing to share, especially when a community college and university could collaborate to serve students. Russ was right. Jim was all that and more. I learned much from Jim during our first meeting and soon joined the Connecticut Association for Continuing Education (CACE) of which Jim and other deans and directors were members. When I joined the Central Office of the Community College system in 1978, Jim and I worked together more closely. It was then that I recognized he truly was a pioneer. Despite tugs-of-war with administrators, Jim championed the needs of adult learners, especially those who needed an advocate. Jim was the voice of those who wanted a second chance, those who lost jobs, and those who needed a break to meet their personal and professional goals. Whether it was creative avocational courses, classes for job training, or major programs with area industries, Jim led the way. I know he made some people feel uneasy about the programs and services he designed and offered. It's always that way when one paves the way and others are unsure. Jim was certain and he was right so many times: early morning and weekend classes, on-site programs at corporations, grants for workforce development programs, and basic services for adults. He argued they needed them and believed they deserved them. And, he was right then, even when it was at times "too early" for such obvious ideas that became recognized soon after as essentials of the community college mission. As a statewide administrator for the community colleges, Jim always reminded me of my responsibility to represent the interests of continuing education and the students served by the 12 community colleges. Whatever success I had in fulfilling that role, was owed, in some part, to the principles and passion Jim shared with me as I grew in my position and later my expanded advocacy efforts. By now you probably sense how much I--and others who learned of his passing--respected Jim for his intelligence, skill, leadership, sense of humor, and passion. My wife and I saw Jim and Candi at The Hartford Stage a few weeks before he left us. Following the usual introductions to our spouses, I told Judy that Jim was an important man in so many ways. I'd like to think that we also were friends. I hope he enjoyed working with me as much as I did learning from him. I can't imagine the magnitude of your loss as a family. Please know that the community colleges lost an astute manager, a keen innovator, and a respected educator. We continuing education colleagues lost a dear man and friend. Wally Kostrzewa
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Dotty Haake posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Dear Candi, I wish I could have been there today to tell you how sad I am to hear of your great loss. Please accept my deepest sympathies and know that my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your whole family. Love and Hugs... Dotty
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Bill Levy posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Candy and your family, my sincere sympathies of your loss. His impact on the MCC family will continue. Jim's impact can measured by those who were both directly and indirectly in contact with him for advice and supervision. His was a great educator and administrator (and pretty good as a bridge player) My thoughts are with you.
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John & Lynne Gardner posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Candy, We were so shocked to hear of Jim's passing. He was such a great man, we would sit and chat about History all the time. I was always very impressed with his depth of knowledge, yet he was such an easy-going man. We hope that you will be strengthened by the prayers & love of all your "St John's" family which we still feel very much a part of. We send you our best love, prayers and compassion. John & Lynne Gardner
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Roberta McIntire-Shapiro posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Candy,extending our deepest sympathy to you and your family. David Shapiro and Roberta McIntire-Shapiro Phillips Farm neighbors
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Lois Daly posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Dear Candy and Family, my sincere sympathies to all of you. I am so glad we became reacquainted and went to our class reunion together. He was a fine man and a real gentleman. God Bless. Sincerely, Lois
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Denise Grudzinski-Ross posted a condolence
Monday, August 8, 2011
Linda, My deepest sympathies to you and your family on the passing of your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Dennie
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Jay R. Stager posted a condolence
Monday, August 8, 2011
To Candy and Jim's children..... I just learned of Jim's passing and have to express my sadness plus acknowledge my many memories from the best years of my life in teaching and union organizing and fomenting the early phases of the Manchester Community College structures and policies. I cannot believe it is 39 years since his second marriage to our MCC staffer Candy, either. During Jim's MHS years, he spent a lot of time with Bob Vater, Bill Dowd, Bill Coe and myself rocking the boat in education. After our group's moving over to MCC (except for Coe who is 84 on the Cape still) Jim evolved into an administrator par excellence and was always grounded, fair and balanced (but not like Fox News is). I wish I could be there for the memorials tomorrow, but I am too far north on the coast of Maine and feeling my age as well. My wife, Karen, passed three years ago and I am still raising our 3 adopted Russian kids, one of whom is disabled with muscular dystrophy. My gratitude to the Tatros for the memories of good times and good people. with muscular dystrophy
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Kate McLaughlin posted a condolence
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Dear Candy, I am so saddened to hear about Jim. He will be missed by all of the MCC family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Kate
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Jeanne Coleman (Brennan) posted a condolence
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Dear Linda, I know it has been many, many years since we ever saw each other but was saddened to read of your loss and wished to express my sympathy to you and yours during these sorrowful times.
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Mary Ann Bianchi posted a condolence
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Candy: It has been many years since I have seen either you or Jim, but the memories are clearly embedded in my aging brain, especially of those early years at MCC. Please accept my condolences on the loss of a kind and gentle man who redirected the lives of so many people with whom he came in contact. You are both in my prayers. Mary Ann
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Dotty Haake posted a condolence
Friday, August 5, 2011
Dotty Haake made a donation to
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