Photo courtesy of Byles Memorial Home - New London
Nov 8, 1926 - Jan 9, 2021 (Age 94)
Pop was a great man and a wonderful great-grandfather. We will always miss him and think of him.
Alicia Fay
November 07, 2023 | Family
Pop was a very good man. I worked for him part time in the early 90's while my first ship was on deployment and I needed to fill in idle time. I was a young country kid from Upstate NY and was pretty lost until I found Pop's . He took me the the Groton Airport to see vintage military planes and told me stories and was a very good man. He made sure I had a ride to the base every night and that I was paid for my time even though that did not matter half as much as just having a place to go....
Gary Allen
December 09, 2021 | Harford Mills, NY | Friend
My mom worked for Mum and Pop when I was a toddler (1980-ish) and I was told that while she folded laundry, I would roll around in my walker and keep the employees entertained. As I was growing up, we often went to Pop’s for burgers or hot chocolate so we could visit with them. They were both lovely and kind. My condolences to the family and though my mom passed away ten years ago, I often think of all of them together and it makes me smile.
Rachel Fowler
January 23, 2021 | Friend
I loved his stories of Savon Rock in West Haven before the 38 hurricane. I used to stop by for his hamburger lunch. Served with ice cream. Before I was married Mum washed my cloths. I feel so glad that I knew Pop's, He was always happy and ready to share his life.
Paul Kohler
January 18, 2021 | New London, CT | Friend
So many indelible memories of years gone by come flooding in. The Fays loved kids and we loved them. Mrs. Fay was the best room mother EVER. I was Sharlene's first boyfriend, Ron Kuptzin, at William Seely School and I remember Mr. Fay treating me like family. It's even the little things you do in life that makes your life memorable! May the Fay's RIP and may God Bless Sharlene and Daureen with an abundance
of comfort, joy, and pride for your parents lives~
Ronald Kuptzin
January 17, 2021 | Mystic, CT | Friend
So sad to hear this news But then again so happy to have worked for Pop and Mum at the kitchen/wash tub back in the late 90’s. They were family! So sorry to Daureen and the family.
Kelly
January 17, 2021 | Friend
Bud was a good man. Kept Groton on the map.
Sean Griffin
January 17, 2021 | Acquaintance
NORBERT (BUD/POP) FAY age 94 of Waterford passed away on January 9. 2021 at his residence.
He was predeceased by his wife Muriel. They had operated three business’s on route 12 in Groton for 22 years. Pop and Mum’s was a favorite stop for many in the Navy Community. He served in the Navy during World War II as a member of Gun Crews on Merchant Tankers. He flew for two companies that rebuilt war surplus aircraft. He opened a foreign car dealership in Waterford and then joined Davis Standard where they pioneered in the early development of plastic product machinery.
He married Barbara E. Nelson in 2008. Besides Barbara, he leaves behind two daughters, Sharlene Aspinwall and Daurene Graf, two step daughters, Cheryl Elci and Laura Nelson, eight grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Bud helped to start the Groton Business Association which continues today. He was among the first to make public the threat to close the SubBase and remained active in the Realignment Committee’s work to prevent and fight further threats. He shared honors from the City of Groton, State of Connecticut and the Federal Government withal those who fought to Save the Base. He was chosen by the National Association of Independent Businessmen as New England’s Small Businessman of the Year.
His favorite activity was to visit with the folks at Fairview and he spent a number of years on their development committee.
Bud spent many hours, flying a variety of airplanes on his flight simulator and he maintained his pilots license throughout his life. He was a voracious reader. His favorite expression, “life’s a learning experience enjoy every minute.”
A private graveside service was held in Starr Burying ground in Groton. Donations in his memory may be directed to Smilow Cancer Center, 220 Waterford Parkway South, Waterford, CT 06385 or Vitas Hospice, 628 Hebron Ave Ste 300, Glastonbury, CT 06033.
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