Eugene Thomas "Gene" Dyer

FUNERAL HOME

Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home - New London

12 Ocean Avenue

New London, Connecticut

Eugene Dyer Obituary

Waterford - Eugene "Gene" Thomas Dyer, 89, of Waterford, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at Lawrence +Memorial Hospital, New London, surrounded by his children.

He was born April 8, 1924, in New London, the son of Timothy Paul Dyer and Catherine (Schumacher) Dyer. He grew up in New London where he later graduated from Chapman Technical High School.

Gene was a partner with his dear friend, Herb Hillery, of The H. R. Hillery Co. for over 35 years and was so proud of saying that in all that time there was never a harsh word between them. He always said that he was fortunate to do business at a time when a handshake was a contract and that integrity of self meant everything.

He loved being on the water and never tired of looking at the Niantic river where he spent many years scalloping and fishing. Gene entertained with his quick Irish wit and never failed to get his family laughing with his funny little ditties, of which he knew hundreds. He was a former member of the New London Country Club, Knights of Columbus and was an active member of St. Paul in Chains Church in Waterford.

He married Phyllis Ann Ballman, Sept. 17, 1945, at St. Joseph Church in New London. Phyllis passed on Jan. 30, 1998. One of his greatest gifts to his children was amazing loving care of their mother during her extended illness.

Gene was predeceased by his wife; his son, Arthur Henry; his parents; his siblings, Lawrence (Jospehine) Dyer, Edith (Ernest) Care, Margaret (Leo) Beladeau, Raymond (Dorothy) Dyer and Arthur Dyer.

Gene will be sadly missed by his children, Kathleen (Steven) Crook of Groton, Thomas Dyer (Laura Fausset) of Groton, Mary (Richard) Clark-Wilson of Uncasville, and Teresa Johnson (Steven Naples) of Waterford. He is survived by his ten grandchildren, Christian (Randi) Ziegler of Ohio, Kelsey (Dirk) Vlieks of Mystic, Thomas (Amanda) Dyer of Ashford, Kristie (Jeff) Casavant of Franklin, Jaime Dyer of Waterford, Adam (Janet) Clark of Illinois, Kathryn (Nick) Clark-Rossevelt of Old Lyme, Michael Johnson of North Carolina, Reahna (Martin) Smithdorff of Florida and Dana Crook of Pennsylvania. Gene had nine "lights of his eyes", his great-grandchildren, Skylar and Kaelyn Ziegler, Anna and Ellie Vlieks, Morgan and Zachary Bartkowski, Emerson Dyer, Sirus Smithdorff-Moss, and Konrad Smithdorff.

The family extends their love and thanks to Gene's wonderful caregivers, Aimme Annabalini and Laura Knowles. They were gracious and caring and never failed to make him laugh. We enjoyed watching them boss him around, something we could never do successfully! Also, thank you to our wonderful VNA nurses Jackie, Janelle, and Tony who watched over and cared for our dad with compassion and love. Thank you, thank you to the staff of L+M Emergency Department and Floor 4.1 who gave strength to our family and dignity to our father on his last day with us.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern CT, 403 North Frontage Road, Waterford, CT 06385.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, at the Thomas L. Neilan and Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London. The funeral procession will assemble at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, from the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, and proceed to St. Paul Church, Rope Ferry Road, Waterford for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Jefferson Ave., New London.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.neilanfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Day on Jun. 27, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Eugene Dyer

8 Entries

July 1, 2013

Dear Kathleen, Terry and Mary I am so sad to hear the news about the loss of your dad! What a great man! He always had a smile and a smooch for the girls at GW. He will be missed by so many! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families! God Bless, Kerry Berardinelli

June 28, 2013

Dear Tom and Mary, I was saddened to hear of your Dad's passing. How lucky you were to have had him so long. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Marie Ellzey Rabinovitch, New London

Marilyn Manchester

June 27, 2013

Dear Mary, So sorry to read of your Dad's passing. I could tell he was a wonderful man and appreciated all that you did for him. May he rest in peace.

Carole (Lee) Baier

June 27, 2013

Dear Tom and Mary, I'm so sorry for the passing of your Dad. May your memories and the prayers of many comfort you during this most difficult time. You and your family are in my prayers.

Joann & Joe Martin

June 27, 2013

To our dear "neighbor" family...we are so sorry to hear about Gene's passing. Never did I realize the love and committment he had to his family until I watched him take care of your mother. I still remember the day he showed me how he put lipstick on her when she was unable to do it for herself. A true loving, kind, generous, spiritual man that will be missed by all. Love and prayers to all during this difficult time....

Mary Anne Alfieri

June 27, 2013

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998

Darcy Lipphardt

June 27, 2013

Mary & Terry, I was so sad to see of Gene's passing. What a wonderful man he was! I will never forget the way he lit up when he saw "his girls" at Waterford Dental and never failed to sing us a song! A true gentleman in every sense of the word. Sincere sympathies to you and your family at this very sad time.

Donna Greene

June 27, 2013

Mary,
Sorry for the loss of your dad. Please except my sincere condolences.

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