Hugh F. Lena Jr.

East Lyme - Dr. Hugh F. Lena Jr., of Giant's Neck Road, Niantic, a lifelong resident of New London and Giant's Neck, died on Friday, June 28, 2013, at his residence.

He was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Hugh F. Lena Sr., who predeceased him. He was born on March 6, 1922. He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Jeanne; a sister, Virginia Calanquin; and a brother, Dr. Paul Lena.

He is survived by another brother, Dr. Richard Lena of Giant's Neck; and six children, Dr. Hugh F. Lena III of Smithfield, R.I., Dr. Patricia Cole of Clayton, Mo., Barbara Kosheff of Fairfield, Carol Kiel of Chicago, Ill., Peter Lena of Danielson, and Susan Bellerose of West Newton, Mass.

Dr. Lena was a graduate of Bulkeley School, Dartmouth College, and Cornell Medical School. He had his surgical residency at the University of Michigan Hospital and Medical School in Ann Arbor, Mich. He serve in the U.S. Air Force (medical) and was discharged as a captain in 1948.

He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Lena was a member of the New London Medical Association, the Frederick A. Coller Surgical Society, and the Connecticut Society of Board Surgeons. He was an attending surgeon at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for over 40 years and served as chief of general surgery. He was president of the medical staff in 1972. He also served as president of the New London County Medical Association in 1985 and 1986 and was a long-term delegate to the state medical society. He was on the editorial board of the state medical journal.

Dr. Lena received a special papal award from Pope Paul VI in 1965. A member of the Knights of Columbus, he was also active in Dartmouth alumni affairs, served as president of the Dartmouth Club of Southeastern Connecticut, and represented Dartmouth College at the inauguration of Dr. Oakes Ames as President of Connecticut College in 1974. He was a communicant of St. Agnes Church in Niantic.

Dr. Lena's interests in the outdoors included fishing, hunting, tennis, and boating. He was a member of the Thames Club of New London and the Snake Meadow Fish and Game Club of Moosup.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at St. Agnes Church, Haigh Street, Niantic. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New London. The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home, 48 Grand St., Niantic.

Memorial Contributions in his memory may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. www.neilanfuneralhome.com