<!-- FH = Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home -->James B. Stuart of Melbourne, formerly of Groton, CT passed away on September 26, 2010 at his home in Melbourne, Florida.He was born on April 23, 1941 in Springfield, MA and spent over half his life in Noank and Stonington, CT. He graduated in 1959 from Fitch Senior High School.He was employed by Johnson's Hardware and Supply Company in Groton for 21 years, and in 1977 he moved to Melbourne, Florida. For two years he captained a treasure hunting vessel working off the coast of South Melbourne Beach, near Sebastian Inlet. In 1980 he became employed by Brevard County and worked in various positions for 26 years until his retirement in December, 2006.James married Arline Howlett Brown, a classmate from junior high school in 1991, who then joined him in Florida.James was predeceased by Arline on August 23, 2007. He is survived by his sons, Jay and James Stuart, and daughter, Janet Collings, all of Connecticut; daughter, Jackie Petitti of Florida; step-son, Keith Marsie of Connecticut; grandchildren, Tessa, Emma and Samantha Stuart, Angela Lavoie, Jake Collings, Gabby, Tabby and Tim Petitti; step-grandchildren, Jennifer Kenniston, Joshua and Rachael Marsie; great-grandson, Holden Chute; step-great-granddaughters, Ursula and Abigail Kenniston; sister, Bette, and brother, William Stuart of Connecticut; and brother Ronald Stuart of Florida; sisters-in-law, Barbara Sawyer and Cathy Davies; several cousins and nieces, and the beloved Shih-Tzu, Blossom.There will be no calling hours. Services will be private.In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Central Brevard Humane Society, Southern Area.