James Edgar Mistretta, 71, of Manchester, the husband of Sandra (Grimes) Mistretta died Thursday September 17, 2015 surrounded by his family at Hartford Hospital. Born in Manchester, he was a life long resident and the son of the late Joseph and Irene (McGann) Mistretta. He was a graduate of Manchester High School and served in the Air Force Reserves. A self-made local business man, in 1986, Jim along with his wife Sandy, started their business, Surroundings, which is still in business today. Being self-made and self-reliant were traits Jim was proud of and he passed them on to his family and friends. He was a willing host to the Manchester Road Race organization, offering his store as a home base each Thanksgiving morning. A loving husband, father and grandfather, in addition to his beloved wife Sandy, he is survived by his children Joanne Haven and her husband Mark of Spring, TX, Mark Mistretta and his wife Dawn of Glastonbury, Jennifer Juan and her husband Juan of Bolton, Jason Mistretta and his wife Karen of Vernon, and Sara Buccino and her husband John of Hebron; his grandchildren Christopher, Bailey, Kevin, Abby, Seth, Trevor, Marina, Haley, Olivia, Sebastian, Samantha and Giovani; and his great-grandchildren Carter and Colton. He is also survived by his siblings, Pat Mistretta and his wife Nancy of Mesa, AZ, Gerry Mistretta and his wife Anne Marie of Big Sky, MT, Mike Mistretta and his wife Carol of Manchester, and Margaret Sandwick and her husband Bill of Bedford Hills, NY; his good friend and brother-in-law Jim Grimes of Manchester; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim's family would like to offer their sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and support staff at the Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center at Hartford Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday September 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Church 896 Main Street Manchester. Family and friends may call at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home 219 West Center St. Manchester on Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the International Multiple Myeloma Foundation at http://online.myeloma.org/netcommunity/james-mistretta. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.