Thomas Jerald “Jerry” Moore left this world peacefully on June 21, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, and his impact on those who had the good fortune of knowing him was profound …
Jerry[‘s] true passion was his family. His wife of 63 years, Gail, and his daughters, Tracy Moore Chandler, Lesley Owens Moore, and Caroline Moore Broadfoot, were the center of his world … His love and devotion knew no bounds and included sons-in-law, Chisholm Chandler and Elliot Broadfoot, and nine grandchildren, Zachary, Halle, Rusty and Lily Chandler, Thomas Moore and Jack Montmeat, and Sumner, Marshall and CeCe Broadfoot …
Finally, he cherished the many wonderful friendships they made in the places that he and Gail called home including West Hartford, Palm City, Fayetteville, and most recently, Old Lyme. Their summer home at Old Black Point was uniquely special, as Jerry was determined to have a place for his daughters and their families to come home to no matter where his business career took them.
A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held for family and friends at the First Congregational Church in Old Lyme, CT on Monday, June 30th at 2pm. There will be a reception at The Old Lyme Inn immediately following the service.
Acclaimed Local Artist Nancy Gladwell to Lead Mural Creation
LYME, CT—Lyme Public Library hosts a special ‘David Ruggles Week’ next week from Monday, June 23, through Saturday, June 28. To register to attend any of the events listed below in person ot to receive the Zoom meeting invitation, email programreg@lymepl.org or call 860- 434- 2272.
The schedule of programs is as follows:
June 23 (Monday) @ 6 p.m. Local historian Jim Lampos will discuss the life, work and, historical impact of the African-American Abolitionist and Lyme native son David Ruggles.on American society Lyme Library Community Room or Zoom
June 24 (Tuesday) @ 6 p.m. Professor and historian Dr. Jonathan Wells, Professor in the history of Afroamerican and African studies, will be appearing via Zoom to speak about his book “The Kidnapping Club: Wall Street, Slavery, and Resistance on the Eve of the Civil War”. Dr. Wells will recount how journalist, abolitionist and Lyme native son, David Ruggles, worked tirelessly, and at the risk of his own life to bring to light the injustices of institutional corruption that allowed slavery to continue to flourish in America on the eve of the American Civil War.
Wednesday, June 25 @ 2 p.m. (Zoom) Local historian Tom Schuch will be speaking about the Ruggles legacy and his genealogical connections to Lyme via Zoom.
Thursday, June 26th @ 6 p.m. (Zoom) Dr. Graham Hodges, author of “David Ruggles: A Radical Abolitionist and the Underground Railroad in New York City” will speak about how David Ruggles saved lives via the Underground Railroad.
Saturday, June 28 2-4 p.m. Calling artists of all ages to help make history happen at the library!
Local artist Nancy Gladwell, who is a member of PARJE (Public Art for Racial Justice Education), will be assisting all the artists (no age limit so adults and children are encouraged to attend) to come by and participate in painting a mural for the Lyme Library about the hero, abolitionist and Lyme native son, David Ruggles. The mural created will be proudly displayed in the library upon its completion.
Come in and help promote and participate in the legacy of racial justice that Mr. Ruggles fought so hard to uphold and make history happen at the Lyme Library.
Drop ins welcome. Refreshments will be provided.
Editor’s Note: This report was updated to correct the date of the final event.
OLD LYME—UPDATE 6/20: The Old Lyme Town Clerk and Selectman’s offices will be closed today, Friday, June 20, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.so that employees can attend Eileen Coffee’s funeral.
The Old Lyme Town Hall administration asks that you plan accordingly and thanks you for your understanding. You can contact either office by phone or email, and your message will be returned. Documents can be left in the drop box outside the main entrance to the Town Hall.
OLD LYME — Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and faithful public servant, Eileen Keating Coffee passed away unexpectedly at home June 13, 2025. A devoted wife, loving mother of five, proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and a respected public servant, Eileen lived a life full of warmth, faith and quiet strength.
Eileen was born [Feb. 5, 1946] to Lawrence Keating, of Valencia Island, County Kerry, and Bridget “Veronica” Lavelle Keating, of Straide, Mayo County, Ireland …
Raised in New London, Eileen attended St. Mary’s Grammar School and Saint Bernard’s High School. It was at Saint Bernard’s that she met her high school sweetheart, Kenneth W. Coffee. They married and recently celebrated 58 years of love and partnership.
Together, Eileen and Ken raised five children: Kenneth L. (spouse Teresa), Brian M. (spouse Brittany), Elizabeth A. Hutchinson, Edward “Ned” J. and Daniel J. Her pride in her family was immeasurable. She was a loving grandmother … She was a cherished great-grandmother … Eileen is survived by her brother Lawrence Keating and his children: … as well as her sister Mary Keating of Waterford. She is lovingly remembered by her extended Coffee family: Shirley Coffee, John and Sue Coffee, Josephine McCulloch, Hugh and Heike Coffee …
… Later, she served the town of Old Lyme with distinction, first as assistant Town Clerk and then as elected certified Town Clerk for two terms. Her commitment to the town continued as she worked part-time in the clerk’s office up until her passing …
Calling hours will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Thursday, June 19, in Christ the King Parish Hall, 1 McCurdy Road, Old Lyme. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 20, in the church. Interment will follow in Duck River Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Christ the King Church or to your favorite charity.
Chase Gilbert of Old Lyme proudly holds her 1600 meters first place award at Saturday’s New England Track and Field Championship. Photo by A. Mercaldi.
NEW BRITAIN— On Saturday, Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) Junior Chase Gilbert took first place in the 1600 meters at the New England Outdoor Track and Field Championship with a time of 4:48:33.
The event was held at Veteran’s Stadium at Willowbrook Park in New Britain.
Next Friday, June 20, Gilbert will run the 1600 meters again in the New Balance National Championship being held at University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) in Philadelphia.
Lyme-Old Lyme High School Senior Zoe Eastman-Grossel will be running the 200 meters at the same championship.
Chase and Eastman-Grossel will be joined by two additional LOLHS athletes—Tabitha Colwell and Serena Mazzi—at the UPenn championship. Together the four girls comprise the LOLHS Sprint Medley team, which is currently ranked 14th in the nation.
Many congratulations to Chase.on her win yesterday and good luck to all four competing on Friday at UPenn.
Sunny Train will kick off ‘Make Music Old Lyme ‘with a family concert from 4 to 5 p.m. at Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau. LymeLine file photo.
OLD LYME–A popular live music stroll along Lyme Street, Make Music Old Lyme, returns Saturday, June 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. An international celebration of free music for all, the Old Lyme Arts District produces the town’s event in conjunction with the MusicNow Foundation.
Music for all ages will be offered by the Old Lyme Town Band. File photo by James Meehan.
With over a dozen performers, the seventh annual Make Music Old Lyme celebration takes place on Lyme Street, stretching from the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme where the Old Lyme Town Band will play, to the Old Lyme Firehouse where Colin Hallahan will entertain attendees.
The Colin Hallahan Band will again play in front of the Lyme Street Firehouse. LymeLine file photo.
Between these two locations, talented musicians from across the Northeast will give live acoustic performances on front lawns and sidewalks along Lyme Street.
Chris Gregor will play folk vocals on guitar during Make Music Day on Saturday. Find him on the Center School lawn this year. LymeLine file photo.
Chris Gregor returns this year and will perform on the Center School lawn. Gregor’s mix of pop, Broadway tunes, and even operatic selections entertained audiences at the 2024 Make Music Old Lyme.
Braiden Sunshine will play for fans on the side lawn of Nightingale’s Acoustic Café.
Braiden Sunshine will perform this year on the side lawn of Nightingale’s Acoustic Café. File photo by Alan Poirier.
Kelly Riley, home from Nashville, will perform in front of the Memorial Town Hall. New to Make Music Old Lyme, Riley has opened for Willie Nelson, the Steve Miller Band, and Lyle Lovett with country and folk songs including her own original works.
Genres this year include bluegrass, folk, indie-rock, American standards, and pop.
Musicians scheduled to perform include: Chris Gregor, Braiden Sunshine, Colin Hallahan, Rodney Brown, Two of Us, Barbara Harvey, Jack Hardesty, Kelly Riley, John Charland, Band of Friends, The Scoville Unit Jazz Duo, Howling Hound Dogs, The Celestials, Paul Loether, and the Old Lyme Town Band. Kipp “Kid Caviar” Sturgeon will perform while strolling the event as well.
Before the stroll, Sunny Train will perform a family concert at Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau (LYSB) from 4 to 5 p.m.
A children’s craft will be available in front of the Old Lyme Historical Society from 5 to 7 p.m.
The Lyme-Old Lyme Lions Club will also be in front of Center School with grill items including hamburgers and hot dogs for sale from 5 to 7 p.m. Nightingale’s Acoustic Café and The Chocolate Shell will also be open and selling refreshments.
The Lyme-Old Lyme Lions will once again do brisk business selling hot dogs and hamburgers in front of Center School. LymeLine file photo.
For those wishing to sit and enjoy one location’s performer, lawn chairs or blankets are encouraged.
According to “Ramblin’ Dan” Stevens, one of the volunteer organizers of the event, “We’re excited for our lineup of incredible musicians for Make Music Old Lyme. We love the chance to showcase the amazing talent right here in Southeastern Connecticut as well as welcome home some of our great musicians, who are traveling and doing shows around the country.”
Launched in France in 1982, Make Music Day is an international musical festival open to all who would like to participate, and takes place in over 1,000 cities in 120 countries on June 21, the summer solstice.
The State of Connecticut Office of the Arts debuted the State’s effort in 2018 with 528 free musical performances at 224 locations across the state, including Old Lyme.
A handout with musician locations will be available at the event or in pdf form on the website the day of the event.
The Old Lyme Arts District is a partnership of a dozen organizations and businesses promoting arts and culture on Lyme Street.
Make Music Old Lyme is supported by Connecticut’s Eastern Regional Tourism District and is sponsored by Pasta Vita, Essex Savings Bank/Essex Financial Services, the Herb Chambers Charitable Foundation, Bluewater Millwork & Construction, Mercer Advisors/Benchmark Wealth Management, and Shoreline Web News, LLC/LymeLine.com.
