Obituary of James John Eastland, Jr.

James John Eastland, Jr. died peacefully on April 19th, 2021. Jim was born on July 6, 1934 in Middletown, CT; the son of James John Eastland and Ruth Evelyn Dahlstrom Eastland. Jim grew up in Westbrook, CT, and was a remarkable basketball player at Morgan High School. He served a few years in the Army, stationed in Germany, and graduated from the University of Bridgeport with a degree in Industrial Design. Jim began his career in the design field, and simultaneously fell in love with sailing and schooners. In 1968, he moved to Essex, CT, and founded Eastland Yachts with his long-time friend Patricia Foster. Jim became quite a successful coastal and offshore, competitive sailor, racing schooners, including his own 44’ gaffrigger Alicia, and various C&C, Nonsuch, and Niagra. He enjoyed the time and comradery on the water immensely, won many races, including Off-Soundings, Antigua Race Week, and Gloucester Schooner Race, and organized races for the American Schooner Association, Block Island, and numerous Nonsuch regattas. Over the decades of success of Eastland Yachts, racing circuits, and his years in Essex, Jim's love of boating and vast knowledge of sailcraft fostered wonderful relationships with so many people. Jim's fascination with design also endured throughout his life. He loved creating nautical ads and brochures, working on new boat concepts (Northeast Motorsailer, etc.) with his friend Mark Ellis, and photography (especially of friends, family, and boats). Jim had a wonderfully contagious spirit. He loved to laugh and joke, and always preferred being out and seeing people. He was known for being a stalwart supporter of friends, family, and fellow local entrepreneurs, an avid consumer of all sports, and a big fan of the Ivoryton Playhouse. He was also an especially loving and devoted father and grandfather -- whenever you ran into Jim you were sure to hear about his family. He is survived by his daughter, Alicia Eastland Quarrier and her husband Ian, granddaughters, Atlee and Isabelle, and brother Timothy Eastland. Jim was blessed to have such a vast, wonderful, and supportive community of friends, including long-time friend and covid companion, Margaret Morgan. A graveside service will be held at Riverview Cemetery in Essex, CT at a later date. If you would like to make a Memorial charitable contribution, please consider the Connecticut River Museum, the Ivoryton Playhouse, or a charity that you think would be most meaningful to Jim. To share memories of Jim, please visit his memorial tribute page at https://rwwfh.com/ Arrangements are in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook, CT