Lawrence S. TRYON

TRYON, Lawrence S. Lawrence S. Tryon, 84, passed away at home in Suffield on Veteran's Day Wednesday, (November 11, 2009). He was the son of the late Dale Washington Tryon and Marie Gallagher Tryon of Windsor. He was predeceased, on April 21, 2009, by his wife of almost 64 years, Jean Ramsdell Tryon of Suffield. Jean and Larry were married at Grace Episcopal Church, Windsor on June 9, 1945, while Larry was home on leave from military service. Larry was born in New Hartford, NY on December 24, 1924. He lived there, in West Virginia, and East Hartford before moving to the Wilson section of Windsor in 1931. He attended local schools and graduated from John Fitch High School, now Windsor High, in 1943 with his future wife. They were chosen "class sweethearts" of their class. Larry spent his teen years working at Christensen and Rand Market garden, the Ransom farm, and the Windsor Garage. During World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was sworn in on the stage of the State Theatre in Hartford on June 4, 1943, while still in high school. He left for active duty 4 days after graduation for Cadet Training. He attended Michigan State University as part of his training and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant as a pilot at Lubbock, Texas, on November 20, 1944. His military service continued through the Korean War when he was recalled to active duty, with the CT Air National Guard in 1950, serving with the 118th Fighter Squadron in West Germany. Larry was deployed for 21 months, including 13 months in Germany. He worked with the formulation of NATO. He returned home in September 1952 as a Captain. He transferred from the Air National Guard to the Army in 1960; was assigned to the 43rd Division, 169th Regiment as motor officer, then as the service Company Commander. He transferred to the Army Reserve and became an instructor for the 1050th USAR school in West Hartford. He retired in December 1972 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel with 30 years of active duty. He belonged to Grace Church, Windsor, for 45 years until he moved to Suffield in 1988, where he joined Calvary Episcopal Church. After WWII, Larry attended Hillyer College, now the University of Hartford. He was employed by SNET, now AT&T, from 1946-1960 as an installer, and later as a sales Engineer in the Commercial Dept. in Hartford. He left to join a sign company with his friend and neighbor Irwin Laurencelle. He was the salesmen and was in charge of installation. Larry was employed with various construction companies as Superintendent, Project manager and Construction Coordinator, and as Building Official for the town of Wethersfield. In 1983, he started his own business as a construction and building code consultant and building official. Some of his projects included Kaman Headquarters, town of West Hartford renovations and Windsor town hall addition. Larry belonged to Washington Lodge No. 70, A.F. & A.M. for more than 60 years and was a member of the Scottish Rite and the Sphinx Temple Shrine. He was also a dedicated member of American Legion Post 59, Windsor, for more than 62 years. He was a member of 40/8, TROA and Sojourners and belonged to SMART, a military retired camping group. He enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S., including Alaska, being with family, camping in Vermont and winters in Florida, as well as playing golf. Larry and Jean were the parents of five children, 12 grandchildren and five precious great grandchildren. He leaves his children, Mark Tryon of Bristol, Lee Allan Tryon of Avon, Diane Bailey of Enfield, Laurie Sheldon and her husband Robert of Windsor, and Craig Tryon of East Hampton; 12 grandchildren, Deborah Tryon and her mother Rita Tryon of Charlotte, NC, Rebecca Bilodeau and her husband Eric of Charlotte, NC, Melissa Bailey of Suffield, Jeffrey Bailey of Windsor, Kevin Bailey of Enfield, Donald Sheldon and his wife Samantha of Turtle Creek, PA, Dale Sheldon of Pittsburgh, PA, Meghan Sheldon-Brungard and her husband, David of Brooklyn, NY, Ian Sheldon of Windsor, Corrinne Tryon, Chase Tryon and Cole Tryon of Enfield; and his great grandchildren, Grace Marilyn Bilodeau of Charlotte, NC, Landon James Quimby of Enfield, Brianna Lynn Bailey of Enfield, Russell Mark Bilodeau of Charlotte, NC, and Elliot Warren Sheldon, of Turtle Creek, PA. He leaves his sister, Marjorie King of Windsor and half-sister, Tina Young of Yorktown, VA; his half-brother Clayton Tryon of Enfield and many nephews and nieces, locally and out of state. He was predeceased by his sisters, Jane Seeley, of Ohio and Eleanore Collins of MD; as well as his parents and stepmother, Alice Van Allen Tryon. Family and friends are invited to an Episcopal funeral service on Monday, November 16, 11 a.m. in the chapel of the Carmon Windsor Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Avenue, Windsor. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery. His family will receive friends Sunday, November 15, 3-6 p.m. at the Carmon Windsor Funeral Home. A Masonic Service will be held at 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Donations may be made to Mary's Place, A Center for Grieving Children and Families, 6 Poquonock Avenue, Windsor, CT 06095. For condolences, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com