Gerard "Dick" Laffargue

Gerard “Dick” Laffargue, 96, of Groton, CT passed away at Mystic Heathcare and Rehabilitation Center on Oct 9, 2022 after a brief illness.  He was born in Noank, CT on May 30, 1926 and was the son of the late John Gerard Laffargue and the late Louise Svaboda Laffargue.

He was predeceased by his wife Janette Thomson Laffargue, his brothers George Laffargue and Robert Laffargue, his sisters Blanche Laffargue Kayrukstis, Helen Laffargue Carpenter and Ruth Laffargue White and his son-in-law John Matthews.   He is survived by his daughter Debra Laffargue Matthews, his son David Laffargue, his granddaughter Shannon Kelly and many nieces and nephews. 

Dick graduated from Fitch Senior High school in Groton in 1944 where he had been a standout basketball player and treasurer of his class.    Following high school he entered the navy and served on the battleship USS California.  He was proud of the fact that he circumnavigated the globe, twice crossing the equator and surviving the Crossing the Line ceremony to become a Shellback and member of King Neptune’s Court.  Upon discharge from the Navy he went on earn a degree in Accounting from Bryant College. After college he held accounting positions at a variety of companies, ultimately establishing a career at Electric Boat and retiring in 1986 as Chief of Cost Accounting.

Dick loved telling stories about growing up in Noank – and he had a lot of them.   Most of those stories revolved around his escapades with his best friend Warren Wildes.  There were also lots of stories about his time in the Navy.

He loved traveling, going to the casino to play blackjack, watching UConn and CT Sun Women’s basketball , spending time at Shenecossett Beach, and taking family and friends out to dinner. He was also a Charter Member of the Groton Elks.  But his most favorite thing was being “Pa” to his granddaughter Shannon. They spent hours and hours swimming and playing in the sand at Shenny Beach.   They played with Barbies and games, went shopping at Walmart and he would deliver food to her and her friends at the high school when they stayed late for events.

He was a friendly and caring person who loved life and lived by the motto “if you don’t have something good to say, don’t say anything at all”.  He made friends easily and kept them for life.  He was always first in line to care for or provide assistance to family and friends when they were ill or had a problem.    

He will be dearly missed by all who knew him – most especially by his son and daughter.

We give our heartfelt thanks to the nurses, aides and staff at Mystic Healthcare Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their care over the past 3 months. We would also like to thank family and friends for there concern and support during this difficult time.

 At his request, there will be no service or calling hours.  But everyone is welcome to mix their favorite cocktail some afternoon at 4:00pm and drink a toast to him – his favorite was a Manhattan.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Noank Historical Society or to the charity of one’s choice.