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Carl Safford Obituary
Born May 13, 1923, in Groton, he resided at the family homestead on the banks of the Thames River, where his great-grandfather, William Poole Ferguson, and grandfather, Charles Fox Ferguson, built wooden boats. The 2006 Groton 300th Anniversary Calendar included photos of the family home and boats built by the Fergusons. Carl graduated from Fitch High School in 1941, and the University of Connecticut School of Engineering in 1950. He served in the Air Force during World War II. As an engineer at (General Dynamics) Electric Boat Division for 41 years, Carl was part of the team that designed the Nautilus, the first nuclear powered submarine, other nuclear submarines and marine power plants. As a member of the Nautilus trial crew, he went on five of the initial cruises. Carl was a member of AF&AM Coastal Lodge #57 (now of Stonington), Elks Lodge #2163, a long time member, now friend of First Church of Christ-Congregational, Groton, and a member of Reformation Lutheran Church, Orlando.
He enjoyed boating, sailing, gardening, photography, traveling, tinkering and reading the 'funnies' every day.
Carl's first wife, Marjorie Welton Safford, passed away in Groton in 1996. His wife, Dorothy Croft Safford, passed away in Orlando on Jan. 27, 2010.
Carl is survived by his aunt, Williamina Ferguson of Mystic; stepsons, Arnold Welton of Warwick, James Croft of Denver, Colo., Michael Croft of Houston, Tex.; stepdaughters, Jean Vitturosa of Warwick and Suzanne Croft of Herndon, Va.; and cousins, Janet Purinton of Mystic, Allan Ferguson of Mystic, Charles Ferguson III of Seattle, Wash., David Ferguson of Greenwich, Conn., Nancy Baker of Lady Lake, Fla., Lois DelPapa of Clifton, N.J., William Parham, Conn. and Priscilla Fowler of Peru, N.Y.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, First Church of Christ-Congregational, 162 Monument Street, Groton, CT 06340-3619.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Carl's memory can be made to First Church of Christ-Congregational. Burial was in Colonel Ledyard Cemetery, Groton.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Carl Safford
1 Entry
Bill Souza
May 11, 2010
I remember Carl from the old overhaul days at EB back in the 70's and 80's. He was our structural enginner. He was a good man and will always be remembered.
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