Category Archives: Obituaries

Death Announced of Patricia Taptick, Mother of Susan Fogliano of Old Lyme, Michael D. Taptick, and Sharon A. Cushman

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Patricia Taptick

NIANTIC, CT—Patricia Taptick, of Niantic CT passed away on June 30, 2025. She was the widow of Michael J. Taptick, Jr, who predeceased her in 2006. They had been married for 50 years.

Patricia was born on October 11, 1937, in Norwalk, CT, the daughter of Louis Kish and Ella Kenez Kish.

Patty spent her entire life caring for her family with all that was in her. She worked in a variety of customer service jobs over the course of her life, bringing smiles to all who knew her. She loved cooking for a crowd and singing, especially the music of the 1940s and 50s. Patty was extremely proud of her Hungarian ancestral roots and spent many happy hours reminiscing about her youth.

She served steadfastly as a much-loved receptionist at Lyme-Old Lyme High School from 2007 through 2014, 

Patricia is survived by her three children Susan P. Fogliano and her husband Michael of Old Lyme CT, Michael D. Taptick of Groton CT, and Sharon A. Cushman and her husband Gordon of Jewett City CT; her brother Louis J. Kish and his wife Patricia of Sandy Hook CT; six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, her dear cousin Jean Drasky of Torrington CT, four nieces, and one nephew.

She was predeceased by her brother David Kish, and sisters-in-law Catherine “Jane” Thomas and Paula Taptick.

Services will be private.

Death Announced of Thomas Jerald “Jerry” Moore, Jr., Celebration of Life Held Monday in Old Lyme

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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.

Editor’s Note: Visit this link to read the full obituary published June 24, 2025 on Legacy.com.

Death Announced of Eileen Coffee of Old Lyme, Former OL Town Clerk

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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.

Editor’s Note: Visit this link to read the full obituary published by Dignity Memorial at this link.

Death Announced of Francis J. “Frank” Magee, 80, of Boston, Mass., and Lyme, Husband of Anne Magee

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LYME—Francis J. “Frank” Magee, 80, of Boston, Mass., and Lyme, passed away June 6, 2025, from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease and esophageal cancer. He was the husband of Anne Magee.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either the Lyme Ambulance or Lyme Fire Company, both in Lyme.

Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, Old Lyme is handling arrangements.

A complete obituary will appear in Sunday’s edition of The Day.

Visit this link to read the full announcement published by The Day on Jun. 12, 2025.

Death Announced of Joan Griswold Park Lewis, Formerly of Old Lyme; Daughter of William B. Griswold, Sister to David Griswold

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Joan Griswold Park Lewis

5/31 UPDATE: Details of the funeral service for Mrs. Lewis have now been announced. It will be held Saturday June 7, at 11 a.m. at St. Ann’s’ Church in Old Lyme. A luncheon will follow the service.

Joan Griswold Park Lewis, most recently of Merrimack County Nursing Home, Boscawen, New Hampshire passed away peacefully with family at her side on the first day of spring, March 20, 2025.

Mrs. Lewis was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on March 30, 1930, daughter of William B. Griswold and Jessie Griswold. Rosalie Griswold McCook was her dear step mother.

The family moved to Old Lyme, Connecticut in 1945. She graduated from St Margaret’s School in Waterbury, Connecticut in 1948. In 1952, she graduated from Bouve Boston School of Physical Therapy and Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts as a registered Physical Therapist. She was married in 1953 to James B Park of Concord, New Hampshire. They moved to Sugar Land, Texas where Mr. Park was a banker and Mrs. Park was a physical therapist.

In 1975, she moved back to Old Lyme where she had her own physical therapy office and worked at Chesterfield Convalescent Home as a therapist for 18 years.

She moved to Concord, New Hampshire in 1996. Over the years, she enjoyed many hobbies including gardening, knitting, hiking, photography, crafts and traveling. Her greatest passions were her grandchildren and the Boston Red Sox!

Survivors include five children: James G Park and Lane P Litchford of Lynchburg, Virginia; David B. Park and daughter-in-law, Sidney of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Tracy P Barrett and son-in-law Chris of Loudon, New Hampshire; and William H. Park (Paula Hoch) of Denver, Colorado. A brother and sister-in-law David and Elaine Griswold of Old Lyme, Connecticut. Six grandchildren, Erin and Caitlin Barrett, Megan and Boyce Litchford (Jessie and Aiden), Brittany Litchford Guill (Austin Guill), and Cassandra Park; and one great grandchild, Berkley Guill. Two nephews, Jeffrey (Kim Forbes Griswold) and Eric Griswold (Maddy Farkas), and one niece, Laura Griswold Wentz (Joshua Wentz). Three great nephews, James, Daniel, and Matthew Wentz. She was pre-deceased by a brother, William B Griswold, Jr, and a half-brother, Lawrence Lee. 

A private graveside service will be held later this spring at the Griswold Cemetery followed by a service at St Ann’s Episcopal Church in Old Lyme, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the McCurdy Salisbury Educational Foundation in Old Lyme.