James R. Dahl

James Raymond Dahl, born December 1, 1944, in Jersey City, New Jersey, was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, and animal lover whose warmth and quiet kindness touched everyone who knew him.

He is survived by Evelyn (Geiszler) Dahl, his wife, best friend, and partner through every season of life. They shared a lifetime together, with very few days apart in their 56 years of marriage, carrying each other through life’s challenges. He is also survived by his two daughters, Cheryl (Dahl) Egazarian and Karen Dahl; his sons-in-law, John Egazarian and Brian Reich; and his five grandchildren, Grace, Sara, Chelsea, Henry, and Lucy, who loved their Poppy so, so much. He also leaves behind his two cherished cats, Abby and Dora. He was predeceased by his parents Maria (Maessen) Dahl, from Belgium, and Raymond Dahl from New Jersey, and his beloved animal companions Tiger, Peanut, Marshmallow, Frankie, and Otis (Inky).

Raised in Palisades Park, New Jersey, Jim went on to spend more than 30 years in Danbury, Connecticut, and more than 20 years in Manchester, Connecticut. As a young man, he worked at Lake Minnewaska, an experience that changed his life and sparked a lifelong love of nature and animals. He did a little of everything, from washing dishes to leading trail rides and exploring the caves of the Shawangunk Mountains. He carried that love into his own family, sharing it with his wife and daughters through a lifetime of summer camping trips together. Those summers created years of memories and a lasting appreciation for the outdoors.

A model maker by trade, Jim spent more than 30 years creating prototypes for the toy industry. A natural problem-solver, he could fix just about anything and was always willing to teach others how to do the same. He raised his daughters to figure things out for themselves, instilling in them the resourcefulness and confidence to tackle whatever came their way. Jim never met a challenge he didn't try to solve, including the final one life presented him.

Jim loved model trains, car racing, and, most of all, animals. He also loved swimming in his pool, and watching his grandchildren enjoy it brought him tremendous joy. He had a dry wit and a knack for seeing the humor in things others might miss.

Warmhearted, observant, and endlessly patient, Jim had a rare gift for making people feel truly seen and heard. He was a quiet presence who paid attention, listened without judgment, and made others feel understood simply by being himself. His gentle spirit, his determination, and his deep love for his family will be remembered always. He and his family are so grateful for his life and for all the years, memories, and love they were fortunate enough to share.

A celebration of Jim’s life will take place at Center Congregational Church in Manchester, Connecticut, on Wednesday, October 21. Family will receive guests starting at 10am and the service will begin at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wildlife Conservation Society (https://secure.wcs.org/donate/make-a-tribute-gift) or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (https://give.mskcc.org/goto/jimdahl) in his memory.