Search Archived Marriage Records
Chester Wickersham Kitchings
Born in Atlanta, Georgia on Jul. 20, 1914
Departed on Aug. 21, 2003 and resided in Waterford, CT.
Service: Tuesday Sep. 23, 2003
Chester Wickersham Kitchings
Waterford — Southeastern Connecticut's “Mr. Anonymous,” Chester Wickersham Kitchings, 89, of Waterford, died at home on Aug. 21, 2003.
Born in College Park, Ga., on July 20, 1914, he was the son of Chester Arthur and Ethel May (Wickersham) Kitchings.
He was a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., and did post graduate work at Emory in business.
Since 1935 he has owned and operated the Coca-Cola Company of Southeastern New England, which serves the eastern half of Connecticut and coastal Rhode Island, including Newport.
During World War II, he served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy as a naval aviation flight instructor stationed in Tennessee and Kansas. He instructed hundreds of naval aviators who served in both the Pacific and European theaters.
Additionally, Mr. Kitchings instructed members of the Free French forces how to fly during this period.
After returning to Connecticut he was active in numerous Southeastern New England community organizations including the Harbor School PTA and the New London Rotary, which honored Mr. Kitchings as a Paul Harris Fellow. He served as a founding trustee of the Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theater Center and the Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut. Among his many honors, he was a recipient of the Mitchell College Distinguished Community Service Award in 1998.
Mr. Kitchings is best known for his work with Lawrence & Memorial Hospital. In the 1940s, after his son's recovery from surgery took place in a hospital hallway, he did not complain, but began donating his time to support and improve the hospital. First elected to the Board of Trustees in 1949, he served as chairman of the board from 1954 to 1984. During his 30 years as board chairman, the medical staff grew from 45 to 200 physicians and the size of the hospital tripled.
The hospital now contains The Kitchings Wing which houses a cancer center, emergency care center, and medical/surgical suites. This wing was the result of a $9.5 million capital fund drive supported by Mr. Kitchings with a lead gift. At the dedication of the wing, he recalled his years at the hospital, stating, “We had marvelous people and marvelous boards whose combined effort kept us going forward instead of backing up.”
He once stated, “An achievement will only be remembered if it serves the needs of others.” Acting on that principle, in 1961 he created the Chester W. Kitchings Foundation, which has been a strong supporter of many educational and cultural institutions in the area. The Garde Arts Center and Child & Family Agency are among the numerous beneficiaries of his charitable foundation.
In 1995 he stated that he strived to achieve Ralph Waldo Emerson's ideal that “To know that even one life has breathed easier because you lived, is to have succeeded.” Many people's lives are enriched, because of Mr. Kitchings' efforts in supporting charitable organizations in Southeastern Connecticut.
An avid golfer, Mr. Kitchings was a longtime member of the New London Country Club and the Black Hall Club in Old Lyme.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Davis (Howe) and their children: Chester Jr. and his wife Suzanne of Essex, Margaret of New York City, Patricia and her husband Howard Knox of Stonington., and Kenneth and his wife Christine of Old Lyme. He also is survived by seven grandchildren: Sarah, Laura, Andrew, Davis Knox, Charles and his wife Amanda, Gillian, and Grace.
He was predeceased by his son Charles.
A Memorial Service will be held September 23rd, at 11:00 AM at The Pequot Chapel, 857, Montauk Ave., New London. Burial is private. Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St., New London, is in charge of arrangements.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his memory be made to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 365 Montauk Ave., New London, CT 06320
Robert Glenn Grant, Sr.
Born in Potsdam, NY on Jun. 23, 1926
Departed on Aug. 29, 2003 and resided in Groton, CT.
Visitation: Tuesday Sep. 2, 2003
Service: Wednesday Sep. 3, 2003
GROTON, CT - Robert Glenn Grant, Sr., 77, of 80 Brandegee Ave., Groton died Friday at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
He was born June 23, 1926 in Potsdam, NY the son of Fay and Connie Morgan Grant.
He married
Beverly Blydenburgh Grant in Southhampton, NY. on September 1, 1956.
Mr. Grant was educated in the Potsdam School System and received one of the first New York State GED’s in 1947. He continued his education at SUNY at Canton, NY and received an Associates Degree in Dairy Technology. He was employed at Pfizer in Groton from 1959 until he retired in 1988.
He is a United States Army veteran of the Korean War.
He had been active in the Pfizer sports programs including softball, bowling and golf. He is also a member of the Groton Lodge of Elks # 2163, and Post #20 American Legion. In addition he is a member of the Groton Senior Citizens where he worked the bowling program for many years. Mr. Grant is a member of the Bishop Seabury Church in Groton where he had been a member of the church vestry.
His hobbies included, traveling, gardening, and woodworking. He also traveled in his motor home to 47 of the 48 continuous United States with the exception being Kentucky.
In addition to his wife he is survived by a son; Robert G. Grant, Jr. and his wife Kelly Ann Grant of Woodstock, CT , a daughter; Jeanne Grant Seney and her husband David Seney of Ledyard, 3 granddaughters; Erin and Eileen Grant and Rachelle Seney, 2 brothers; Fay C. Grant, Jr. and Jay Albert Grant both of Potsdam, NY , 3 sisters; Florence Conger of St. Charles, UT, Alice Gilmore and Barbara Patraw both of Potsdam, NY and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister; Elsa Lewis and a brother; Merle Ray Grant.
A funeral service will be held 10:00 AM Wednesday at Bishop Seabury Episcopal Church in Groton. Entombment will be in Bishop Seabury Columbarium. Calling hours will be held at the Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St., Groton on Tuesday from 2 - 4 and 7 – 9 PM. Donations in his memory may be made to the Elks National Foundation Scholarship Fund, 2750 N. Lakeview Ave., Chicago, IL 60614-1889.
Frank A. Ricci
Born in Westerly, RI on Dec. 26, 1929
Died on Jun. 23, 2002 and resided in Groton, CT.
Visitation: No Visitation
Service: Saturday Jun. 29, 2002
Cemetery: Private
FRANK A. RICCI age 72 of 25 Burgess Place, Groton died Sunday evening at his residence.
He was born in Westerly, RI, December 26, 1929 the son of Rocco and Angelina Algiere Ricci. He married
Virginia Savage on April 30, 1955 in Norwichtown.
Mr. Ricci graduated from Robert E. Fitch Sr. High School and Mitchell College and had served in the Army during the Korean War, winning the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Silver Star.
He ran the family business, Thames Cleaners & Dyers for many years retiring in the early 80’s.
Frank was a life member and past president of the Groton Lions Club and a Melvin Jones Award winner. He was a former Zone Chairman for the Lions and had served on the district cabinet. He was the moving force behind the establishment of the Lions Club Hearing Aid Banks at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital and Pequot Outpatient Clinic in Groton.In June of 2000 he was awarded the "Kids are Great" community service award presented by Conn Childrens Medical Center and Lawrence & Memorial Hospital.
Frank was an avid fan of the Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox as well as an avid golfer.
Besides his wife he is survived by 3 daughters, Karen A. Ricci of Gales Ferry, Robin A. Renner and her husband Thomas of Bethel, CT. and Francesca A. Nilsen of Spring, TX, and 5 grandchildren, Brendon P. and Morgan T. Coen of Gales Ferry, Caroline R. and Allison C. Renner of Bethel and Lina V. Nilsen of Spring, TX.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 Saturday morning at Sacred Heart Church, Sacred Heart Dr., Groton. Private interment will be in Col. Ledyard Cemetery. There are no visiting hours.In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be directed to the Lions Club Hearing Aid Banks, c/o Carol Costa, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, 365 Montauk Ave., New London, CT 06320. Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St. is in charge of arrangements.
Edward A. Kearney, Jr.
Born in Greenport, NY on Oct. 28, 1939
Departed on Sep. 5, 2003 and resided in Groton, CT.
Visitation: Tuesday Sep. 9, 2003
Service: Wednesday Sep. 10, 2003
Cemetery: Colonel Ledyard Cemetery
EDWARD A. KEARNEY, JR. age 63 of 1465 Route 117, Groton died Friday morning, September 5th in Montville.
He was born in Greenport, Long Island, New York on October 28, 1939 the son of Lucy Brewer Kearney of Groton and the late Edward A. Kearney, Sr.
Edward had served in the United States Marine Corps and had retired from Electric Boat Company in 1998.
He was a great fan of NASCAR racing.
Besides his mother he is survived by a brother, William J. Kearney of San Antonio, Texas, a sister, Doloress Collins of Venice, Florida and his companion, Idalia Quinones of Montville.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock at St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church, 69 Groton Long Point Rd., Groton. Interment will be in Colonel Ledyard Cemetery. A visiting hour will be held Tuesday evening from 7 until 8 o’clock at the Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St. Donations in his memory may be directed to the Patients Fund, Veterans Administration Hospital, 950 Campbell Ave., West Haven, CT 06516.
Teresa F. Berry
Born in Norwich, CT on Jul. 28, 1918
Died on Jun. 25, 2002 and resided in Groton, CT.
Visitation: Thursday Jun. 27, 2002
Service: Friday Jun. 28, 2002
Cemetery: Starr Hill Cemetery
TERESA F. BERRY age 83 of 823 Shennecossett Road, Groton died Tuesday evening at the Groton Regency.
She was born in Norwich, July 28, 1918 the daughter of Walter and Frances Garbyrs Marek. She was married
to Earl T. Berry, Jr.on May 11, 1940 in Norwichtown, he died May 14, 1975.
Mrs. Berry is survived by a son, Earl T. Berry, III of Huntingtown, MD, 2 daughters, Patricia Sullivan of Groton and Earline Goebel of New London, a brother, Theodore Marek of Uncasville and 2 sisters, Victoria Bajek of Uncasville and Jean Tangari of Bozrah, 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday afternoon at 1 o’clock at St. Joseph’s Church, Squire St. New London. Interment will be in Starr Hill Cemetery. Friends may call Thusday from 6 until 8 o’clock at Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St. New London. Donations in her memory may be directed to the Groton Regency Recreation Fund, 1145 Poquonnock Rd., Groton, CT 06340.
W. Craig Leuthner
Born in New York city on Dec. 31, 1930
Died on Jun. 29, 2002 and resided in Groton Long Point, CT.
Visitation: No Visitation
Service: Saturday Jul. 6, 2002
Cemetery: St. Patrick's Cemetery
Photo
Craig & Pat Leuthner
W.C. Leuthner of Groton Long Point and Stafford Springs, president of the
B.P. Cooley Company, died Saturday, June 29, at Yale-New Haven Hospital,
surrounded by his family. He was 71.
The cause was a rare form of lymphoma, which he had battled bravely since
January 2000. Mr. Leuthner underwent an allogeneic stem-cell transplant in
October 2001, a procedure that, owing to his age, made him something of a
medical pioneer, according to his doctors.
William Craig Leuthner was born December 31, 1930, in New York City, to
Francis M. and Elizabeth M. (Carney) Leuthner. He spent his earliest years
in Oxford, MA, before his father became a partner in the B.P. Cooley
Company, a woolen mill, and moved the family to Stafford Springs.
He was educated in local schools and at the Moses Brown School, Providence,
RI. Mr. Leuthner attended Brown University, majoring in political science,
but left in his junior year to assist his father, as manufacturers migrated
to the Deep South and acrylic textiles threatened New England's woolen
industry. Mr. Leuthner succeeded in refocusing the company's business toward
reprocessed wool, an example of the sort of creative thinking that would
characterize his operation of the company for over 50 years. Among his
clients were Rawlings, the sporting goods company, who purchased reprocessed
wool to wrap the core of baseballs.
After leaving Brown, he attended the Lowell Textile Institute in Lowell, MA.
He was then drafted into the US Army and served as a corporal in the Central
Intelligence Corps during the Korean Conflict.
Craig Leuthner married
Patricia M. Cronin on September 12, 1964, in Groton
Long Point. In addition to his wife, he is survived by their daughter,
Elizabeth Carney Leuthner, and son-in-law, Scott Iver Benson, of Providence,
RI; thirteen neices and nephews; his devoted canine friend Cooley; and
countless friends. He and his family also cherished the selfless act of the
stem-cell donor, whose identity is unknown to them.
He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Antoinette M. Bohan.
Mr. Leuthner was a member of the Groton Long Point Yacht Club and a trustee
of the Stafford Savings Bank. He was a 47-year member of Ram Island Yacht
Club, Noank, and a past trustee. At the time of his death he was vice
commodore and would have been made commodore, a position held twice by his
father, this fall.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Sat. July 6 at the St. Mary’s Church, 95 Main Street, Stonington, Ct. Burial to follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Mystic, Ct. There are no visiting hours. Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St. is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Leuthner's memory may be directed to
Yale-New Haven Hospital, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, c/o Susan Faraone,
Medical Oncology, 800 Howard Avenue YPB2, New Haven, CT 06510 (please
specify BMTU on the check); or to Jericho, Bureau for Exceptional Children +
Adults, PO Box 1039, Holyoke, MA 01041.
