Oliver Denison III

Mystic - Oliver Denison III, of Mystic, passed away Monday, July 22, 2013, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London.

Oliver was born on June 11, 1921, to the late Oliver Jr. and Louise (Porter) Denison. He was a lifelong resident of Stonington, growing up in Quiambaug and later living in Mystic. He was a 10th generation descendent of Capt. George Denison, who first settled Mystic in 1654.

He was married to Nancy (Chesebrough) Denison, who survives him. They lived with their family in Mystic, before moving to Old Mystic in later years, and most recently back to Mystic.

Oliver attended Stonington schools, graduating in 1938 from Stonington High School, the former Borough School. From 1942 to 1945, Oliver served in the U.S. Army. After that, he held several positions during his 35 year career at the Mystic Seaport, spending most of those years as its secretary and assistant treasurer, before retiring in 1985. Oliver was well-known for his excellent photography, and many of his photos of ships, scenes, and artifacts were published in poster form, on postcards, on calendars, and in books.

During his family's younger years, they vacationed and camped throughout most of the states east of the Mississippi River. In his early retirement years, Oliver enjoyed scuba diving and snorkeling, and he and his wife took many trips to Europe. The sights, people, nature, and countryside scenery during his travels always provided numerous opportunities for Oliver to take beautiful photographs. During his lifetime, he amassed a collection of thousands of slides and photographs. While many of these were developed in color, Oliver also enjoyed taking black and white photos, which he developed and printed himself in his tiny home darkroom.

When they were growing up, Oliver greatly enjoyed interacting with his grandchildren, and he will be lovingly remembered for the photography and carpentry skills and the interest in outdoor machinery he has passed on to them. Oliver's love of bird watching and reading a good book continued right to his final days and have also been passed on to his family.

Oliver was previously a member of the Westerly Camera Club, the Elm Grove Cemetery Association Board, and he volunteered at the Mystic Seaport for many years after retiring.

In addition to his wife, Oliver will be dearly missed by his daughter, Deborah D. Miceli of Pawcatuck; and two sons, David C. Denison and his companion, Mary Pankiewicz, of Fishers Island and Florida, and William P. Denison and his wife, Shawna, of Burnt Hills, N.Y. He also leaves grandchildren, Anthony and Nathan Miceli of Pawcatuck, Andrew and Amy Denison, and step-grandchildren, Meghan and Alaina Murphy, all of New York. He is also survived by two sisters, Genevieve M. Denison of Mystic and Barbara D. Flora of Ledyard.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2 p.m. on Friday, July 26, immediately followed by a service at 2 p.m. at the Mystic Funeral Home, Route 1. 51 Williams Ave., Mystic. A private burial will follow directly after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Mystic Noank Library, 40 Library St., Mystic, CT 06355 or to the Denison-Pequotsepos Nature Center, PO Box 122, Mystic, CT 06355.

Please visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com to leave an online message of condolence.