Richard Chadwick Bugbee Jr.

Old Lyme - Richard Chadwick Bugbee Jr., 81, of Lyme St., died Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011, at his residence.

Mr. Bugbee was born on Nov. 28, 1929 in Old Saybrook, the son of Richard and Mary (Bibby) Bugbee Sr. He graduated from Old Lyme public schools, then graduated from Mitchell Jr. College in New London. He served three and a half years in the U.S. Airforce. The majority of that was spent as a radar instructor at Keesler Airforce Base, in Biloxi, Miss. He was discharged in 1952, as a staff sergeant. He married Jane E. Patch in 1956, in the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006. He was a well regarded painting contractor in the area, and took pride in his home and yard. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, traveling, history and especially the history and lore of the town he grew up in. He was a member of the Old Lyme Historical Society. More recently known for his trips around town with his faithful yellow lab, Monti. Applications are being accepted for his position as town character and curmudgeon.

Mr. Bugbee is survived by his loving wife; and children, Richard G. Bugbee of R.I., Carol Cieszynski and husband, Kenneth, of Ill., and Laurie Willis and husband, Richard, of Old Lyme; brother, Robert Bugbee of Fla., brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Carol Carlson of Conn., and George and Marion Patch of Va.; and six grandchildren, Jane, Mary and Ellen Bugbee and Heather, Kimberly, and John Cieszynski.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011, in First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, Old Lyme, is handling the arrangements.

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

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Old Lyme Land Trust, P.O. Box 163, Old Lyme, CT 06371 or the Old Lyme Historical Society, P.O. Box 352, Old Lyme, CT 06371.