Founder of Morans Television and Appliance dies at age 82

MERIDEN It was James Moran Sr.s love of electronics and tinkering with things that led him to open Morans Television and Appliance on West Main Street.

Moran operated the business for close to 30 years before retiring and turning it over to his son, Jim Moran. Despite competing with the big box stores, Morans Television and Appliance has been able to hang in there thanks in part to James Moran Sr.s relationships and personable style over the years.

My father had generations of families and customers. We could tell customers stories about their grandparents, his daughter, Cynthia Ellis, said.

James Moran Sr. died Tuesday after a lengthy illness. He was 82.

My dad was a very caring, loving, compassionate man, Ellis said. He was also very charitable. If an elderly person or a family with children didnt have a television, he would find a used one, clean it up and repair it and give it to them for free.

James Moran, Sr., husband to the late Betty Mae Moran, grew up in the city and attended Meriden High School. He served in the U.S. Army and Korean War. For a time, he was employed by the Connecticut Telephone and Electric Co. in Meriden, before founding the TV and appliance store.

He always brought the good out of people, out of any situation, current owner Jim Moran said of his father. He taught me good work ethic and the importance of family.

James Moran, Sr., is also survived by his son Garry Moran, six grandchildren, three sisters and a brother.

He was very passionate and loving, and he enjoyed the television store, Garry Moran said of his father, who retired about 20 years ago. When he was a child, he would often spend time at the store with his brother and sister tinkering with things.

Jim Moran said he and his siblings didnt see much of their father when they were young because he was so busy straddling two jobs. His father was still working full-time at the Connecticut Telephone and Electric when he opened his television and appliance store, Jim Moran said. Once the store became viable, he left his old job.

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Founder of Morans Television and Appliance dies at age 82