Category Archives: Obituaries

Death of Suzanne Brown Announced; Memorial Service to be Held in Old Lyme, Aug. 25

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Suzanne Brown

ESSEX — Suzanne “Suzie” Brown, our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away Aug. 5, 2019, from complications after a fall in her home. She joins her beloved husband, Templeton “Temp” Brown of 58 years. We will celebrate them both by living their example of truth, love, and commitment.

Suzie celebrated beauty in life by picnicking in the countryside, arranging flowers from her garden, traveling the world, and savoring languages, cuisine, literature, colors, and the natural world. She cherished her family. We all have cultivated deep artistic roots because she showed us how to appreciate beauty in everything around us, every day of her life.

Suzie lived in Winnetka, Ill. for over three decades, and then returned to her childhood state of Connecticut to begin a new adventure with our dad, Temp, in Lyme. She had a wonderful group of friends, old and new, first from her many years in Illinois, and then more recently centered in Lyme and at the Essex Meadows Senior Retirement Community, in Essex. Suzie loved and appreciated the connections she made in Essex Meadows with her neighbors, staff, care-team, and her dear friend, Len Lonnegren.

Suzie will be remembered forever by her family, daughter Lisa Brown and her husband Mark Lellman; grandson Matt Lellman; and granddaughters, Leah Lellman (husband Josh Hisley) and Heidi Lellman (husband Jake Bonnerup); and great-grandson, Theo Bonnerup; daughter Suzanne Butz and her husband Ted Butz; grandsons Teddy Butz and Robert Butz (wife Jen Butz); and great-granddaughter, Hayden Butz; and daughter Maren Brown and her wife Patricia Morrison.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Lyme Land Trust, which was dear to both mom and dad’s deep appreciation of preserving nature for future generations to enjoy.

Death of Former Old Lyme Resident Brian Loper Announced, Celebration of Life Scheduled This Evening

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Brain Loper

Brian David Loper, born October 9, 1955, passed away suddenly on Saturday, June 15, 2019.

A native of Port Jefferson, NY, Brian attended Union College in Schenectady, NY and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering.  He was also a member of the Sigma Phi Fraternity.

Brian began his professional career employed by Schlumberger on an offshore oil rig in Louisiana.  Following this, in 1980, he relocated to the area of his choice, the shores of southeastern Connecticut, being hired by Stone and Webster, stationed at Millstone Nuclear Power Station in Waterford, CT.  Later employed by Bechtel Corporation and other contractors, Brian continued at this location for 24 years, being placed in charge of major construction projects of Units 2 and 3, until 2004.

Following, employed by Manafort, he assumed responsibilities for the next three years for coordinating, and safely decommissioning, including the demolition of the containment dome, at Connecticut Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in Haddam, CT, a complex project that was the first of its kind to be completed.

In 2007, an employment opportunity took Brian from his home in Old Lyme, to the Carolinas.  Hired by Shaw Group Inc., Brian rose to the level of Area Project Manager of Nuclear Island, on this multi-billion dollar, VC Summer job site in Jenkinsville, SC.  Brian took great pride and satisfaction in his work, such as, overseeing the assembly of one of the world’s largest cranes–a heavy lift derrick which stood approximately 560ft. tall–that was required for this highly complex project.   Brian was recognized for his vast abilities.  He was also known and respected by those who worked for and alongside him.

Brian had an innate ability to fix or build.  Much of this, he would tell you, stemmed from working on various projects in his grandparent’s, Carroll and Helen Loper’s, basement as a boy.  His grandfather, along with his grandfather’s brothers owned and operated a well-respected lumber yard, Loper Bothers, in Port Jefferson for more than 70 years.   This history, knowledge and confidence fueled Brian, as a family man, alongside his former wife Debbie of 32 years, through the design and construction of their beautiful home in Old Lyme.  Here, their sons grew, and family gathered.  Holidays, especially Christmas and Thanksgiving, were joyously spent on Flat Rock Hill Road, with great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and cherished pets.

Brian’s most favorite times were spent on the sidelines, proudly watching his three sons playing sports- baseball, soccer, and fencing- and also time spent with family and friends on Long Island Sound, either on the beaches or on the water, boating.  Fishing was forever a chosen pastime.  Brian also had wonderful memories of summers at West Meadow Beach on Long Island, with family at the beach cottage that was soundly built by his grandfather.  Brian was a voracious reader; a joy gifted to him by his dearly beloved grandmother.  Also being sports enthusiasts, the NY Yankees and NY Giants were always favorites for Brian and his sons Dylan, Jared and Sean.

Brian is survived by his parents, Robert and Ann Loper of Saint Petersburg, FL, his three loving sons, Dylan C. Loper of Columbia, SC, Jared C. Loper and Sean R. Loper both of Waterford, CT, his brother Barry Loper, and wife Catherine, of Saint Petersburg, FL.  Also, his wife of three years, Donna Kirkegard Loper of Columbia, SC, and his former wife Deborah M. Loper of Old Lyme, CT

The big hugs, laughter and goodness of Brian will be forever cherished by those most dear to him.

Please join us in celebrating Brian’s life, at Town Woods Fields, at the Lymes’ Senior Center, 26 Town Woods Rd, Old Lyme, CT, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 12, 2019.

Donations may be made to a charity of your choice, in Brian’s memory, with deepest thanks.

Death of Paul Nelson Announced

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Paul Howard Nelson, 1933-2019

Paul Howard Nelson, Navy flight navigator, salesman, business leader, photographer, author, and lecturer passed away on May 24th at the age of 86 in Old Lyme, CT. He was surrounded by his children and his companion.

He began his career in 1953 by enlisting in the Navy where he served on the aircraft carrier the USS Coral Sea during the Korean War. In 1957, he graduated from St. John’s University with a BA in Liberal Arts. For over four decades he worked his way up in textile sales.  At J.P. Stevens, he started as a sales associate and rose to become the head of institutional sales. He later ran The Bibb Company, before becoming a textile broker, working with global textile giants such as Frette. He was a true salesman who became a great manager. He authored several textbooks on management for his industry. Throughout his life, he maintained a love for aviation and photography.  He combined the two by shooting cover photos for aviation magazines.

After retirement, he turned his focus to a longtime hobby, Ragtime and Jazz music. He lectured extensively on the historical and cultural significance of this music.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Nelson grew up in Far Rockaway, Queens, attending St. Francis De Sales primary school and then St. John’s Preparatory School.

Mr. Nelson believed in family first, specifically children first. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 48 years, Maureen T. Nelson (Gilbride).  He is survived by four children Gina Wilcox (Brady) of Old Lyme, CT; Laura Nelson (Jim Kremens) of Westport, CT; Paul F. Nelson (Julie) of Wilmette, IL; and Andrew Nelson (Meghan) of Cincinnati, OH as well as his brother Peter Nelson of Far Rockaway, Queens.  A self-described “Indoor Grandpa,” he is also survived by eight adoring grandchildren; Charles Kremens, Sarah Nelson, Mary Nelson, Annabelle Kremens, Daphne Nelson, Ava Gray Wilcox, Tess Nelson, and John Nelson. Finally, he was honored to be the loving companion to Irene Stella.

A wake will be held at Christ the King Church in Old Lyme, CT on Friday, May 31 between 5 – 7 pm. A mass of Christian burial will be held the following day on Saturday, June 1st at 2 pm in the same location.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, CT or the Yale Cancer Center/Smilow Cancer Hospital “Closer to Free” fund in New Haven, CT.

Death Announced of Veteran, Former Old Lyme Citizen of Year, James G. ‘Tim’ Keenan

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This photo taken on Patriots Day, September 11, 2015 includes James G. (Tim) Keenan seated at right of the middle row. Also in the photo are WWII veterans (from left to right) are (front row) Norman Emerson, Thomas Clements and Francis Fetrow; (second row) George King, George Hunt, and Edmund Wolcott (standing); and (third row: Janet Littlefield, James Noyes and Page Wodell.

The death of James G. ‘Tim’ Keenan on May 11, 2019 has been announced. A familiar figure at veteran’s events in Old Lyme, Mr. Keenan was also a former Old Lyme Citizen of the Year.  His obituary can be found at this link.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 17, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Beckwith Ln., Old Lyme, CT 06371. A graveside service will take place Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 12:30 p.m. at Duck River Cemetery, Old Lyme. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Old Lyme Ambulance Association, 14 Cross Ln., Old Lyme, CT 06371, or the Old Lyme Chapter of the American Legion, 52 Lyme St., Old Lyme, CT 06371.

Visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com for photos, tributes, directions, and more service information.