Category Archives: Obituaries

Death Announced of Warren J. Sulmasy, Sr., Father of Glenn of Old Lyme

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Warren J. Sulmasy, Sr., born in the Throgs Neck section of The Bronx and resident of Smithtown, NY for over 54 years, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 25th with his wife of 68 years, Margaret “Peggy” by his side. He was 89 years old …

He is survived by his wife Peggy, his children and their (spouses); Daniel (Lois) of Washington, DC, Cathy Thomas (Pete) of Darien, CT, Glenn (Marla) of Old Lyme, CT and daughter-in-law Dawn of Naples, FL.  …

Warren leaves his 11 grandchildren whom he adored and spoiled on every occasion.

Visit this link to read the full obituary published Aug. 7, in Newsday.

Death Announced of Dr. Robert “Bob” James Staab of Old Lyme, Services Thursday in OL

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OLD LYME — Dr. Robert James Staab, 71, of Old Lyme, passed away July 29, 2022, surrounded by family. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, at Christ the King Church in Old Lyme, followed by a reception.

Known affectionately as “Dr. Bob,” he was born in Roselle, N.J., Sept. 18, 1950. He married his high school sweetheart, Susan Hornyak July 29, 1972. They were married for exactly 50 years to the day and had four children together.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Robert (Kathleen), Katherine, Christopher (Erin), and Stephanie …

He earned graduate degrees from St. John University and Fairleigh Dickinson University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in biology from his beloved alma mater, Boston College. His profession was his true calling in life …

The other great passion of his life was his faith …

He could be found cruising the Connecticut River in his 1966 Bertram Moppie “Blue Chip” from April to November …

Visit this link to read the full obituary published Aug. 1, 2022 in The Day.

Death Announced of Altabelle Pflomm, 90, Lifelong Resident of Old Lyme, 1938 Hurricane Survivor

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OLD LYME —  Altabelle Pflomm, 90, widow of Wilbur Pflomm, passed away June 22, 2022, at Bride Brook Health & Rehabilitation Center …

She moved to Hawks Nest Beach in Old Lyme when she was young, where she survived the Hurricane of 1938 with her family. She … graduated from Old Lyme High School in 1950. Altabelle was a lifelong resident of Old Lyme. She married Wilbur Pflomm in 1950, and they made their home first on Blood Street and, later, on Ledgewood Drive …

She is survived by three children: Kathryn Fisher and her husband Keith, Deidra Jones Pflomm and Alexander C. Pflomm …

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to either the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library or the Lyme’s Senior Center.

Visit this link to read the full obituary published July 21, in The Day.

Death Announced of Former Principal of Old Lyme’s Mile Creek School, Ronald “Ron” Martino; Services in OL, Aug. 3

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Ronald Edward Martino
May 8, 1935 – July 16, 2022

MYSTIC, CT/OLD LYME, CT — Ronald “Ron” Martino 87, beloved husband of 62 years to Alberta Martino, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. Born in New Britain, he was the only child of the late Anthony and Frances Martino.

He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education from CCSC and his Master’s at the University of Hartford and his 6th year certificate at UCONN. He spent the majority of his career in education serving the Old Lyme school system as principal of Mile Creek Elementary School for 25 years. In addition, he was an accomplished musician and led a 5 piece dance band that played throughout CT in the late 1950’s and early 60’s. His passion for music continued throughout his life, having played percussion in the Old Lyme Town Band, and in his retirement played piano at the Flood Tide Inn in Mystic.

When he and his wife eventually moved to Evergreen Woods he continued to play piano at many resident social events. Ron and Alberta raised their family in Old Lyme, and enjoyed living on the shoreline, taking advantage of the beaches and Long Island Sound. Ron and Alberta had a wide circle of friends with whom they socialized over dinner parties, boating, and ski trips. Ron was an avid fisherman and boater. On many Saturdays in the early hours of the morning he could be found on the waters, many of those days with his best friend Larry Kelliher chasing whatever fish wanted to jump onto their hooks.

In retirement, he and Alberta moved to Naples, Florida where they were snowbirds for 10 plus years. They moved from Old Lyme to Niantic in 2003, and moved to Evergreen Wood last year to be closer to his children. He was a loving, kind and devoted husband and father.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Christine Carey and her husband Michael of Westport and Laura Martino and her spouse Elizabeth Ingalls of Guilford and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his cousin Joe Martino who was like a brother to him.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 3 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM in the Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. A Memorial Mass will follow at 11:00 AM in Christ The King Church, 1 McCurdy Rd., Old Lyme.

Gifts in his memory can be made to the Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau, P.O. Box 589, Old Lyme CT 06371 or online at LYSB.org.

Death Announced of Ronald Sheldon Houlihan, Member of OLHS Class of 1956

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Ronald Sheldon Houlihan

OLD LYME — Ronald Sheldon Houlihan, aged 83, of Homosassa, Fla., died July 6, 2022. Ron was born July 18, 1938, to the late George and Grace (Morgan) Houlihan of Old Lyme, Conn., where Ron and his four siblings grew up. After graduating from high school, Ron joined the Army. He trained as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division, served in Korea, and was in the Special Forces. He was honorably discharged as a corporal in 1959.

In Old Lyme, he married and had two daughters, Cindi and Lisa, whom he loved without limit. His simple joy was to walk in the same woods he had as a boy, now with a different dog and a daughter or two.

Working for Connecticut Light & Power as a lead lineman, he served his union, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, as the business manager of Local 1175, and charter member then president of Local 457. He served his hometown on its Democratic Town Committee and its Conservation Commission.

After 30 years with CL&P, he retired to Homosassa, Fla., with his partner, Sheryl Williams. Ron was a life member of the 101st Airborne Division Association and of the VFW, serving two terms as commander of Post 8189. He also belonged to AmVets, American Legion Post 155, and Moose Lodge 2013. He enjoyed golf, especially a hole-in-one that might have been his proudest non-paternal moment; hunting deer and pheasant; reading westerns and military history; and maintaining his Irish in drink and temper. He was proud to keep his yard precisely mowed and his vehicles pristine. You could eat off his lawn, but not in his car.

His brother George of Westbrook, sisters Millie Jackson and Joyce Grisky of Old Lyme, and daughter Cynthia (Cindi) Houlihan of Norwich predeceased him. He is survived by Sheryl, his devoted companion of more than 30 years; daughter Lisa Houlihan (Richard Caccavale) of Denver, CO; sister Faye Hubble of Naples, FL; sister-in-law Norma Houlihan of Punta Gorda, FL; and many nieces and nephews.

VFW 8189 at 8856 W. Veterans Drive, Homosassa, will host a memorial service with a military salute on July 23 at 2 p.m. Ron’s ashes will be interred in Bushnell National Cemetery.