Photo courtesy of Byles Memorial Home - New London
New London, Connecticut
Sep 23, 1950 – Jan 5, 2024
GROTON - Arthur M. "Art" or "Artie" Sawyer, 73, passed away Jan 5, 2024 after a battle with lung cancer. He was born Sept. 23, 1950 in New London to Grace Priscilla (Miner) and Edward L. Sawyer.
He grew up in Groton and graduated from Fitch High School in 1968. While at Fitch, he lettered in Baseball, Basketball, and Football all three years of his high school career. He was a team captain in each sport during his senior year, and he is an inductee into the Fitch High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
After high school, Art graduated from UConn in Storrs CT, and went on to work for the East Lyme Public School System where he taught physical education until he retired in 1997. During his teaching career, Art coached many different High school sports at East Lyme High School and other schools including men's and women's basketball, baseball, and football, and he was undoubtedly a huge influence on the lives of a whole generation of student athletes.
Art's family, including his father, grandfather, and brothers were a lobstering family, and he worked on the water during the summer months when he wasn't busy with school. After he retired from traching, he helped his brother Dick managing his lobster pound on Jupiter Point road in Groton and making deliveries to many local restaurants in the Groton/New London/Mystic area.
Art enjoyed watching and following sports, reading about American history, and doing crossword puzzles. He was a peaceful and gentle man who wouldn't think twice about helping anybody in need in any way that he could.
He was predeceased by his parents, and his brothers Leonard and Richard Sawyer. He is survived by his sons Scott and David Sawyer of Groton. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
"The whole Earth is the tomb of heroic men, and their story is not given only on stone over thier clay, but abides everywhere without visible symbol, woven into the stuff of other mens' lives. -Pericle
Read MoreArt was a gentleman who cared deeply about his family. He was a devoted father and brother. I will miss his phone calls, “just checking in.” May he rest in peace.
Ibby Sawyer
January 28, 2024 | Mystic, CT | Family
My heartfelt condolences to the entire Sawyer family. Growing up in Groton on Shennecossett Road, I knew Artie as a kid. Even though I was a few years younger than Artie, he and his brother Lenny would sometimes allow us, the younger kids, to participate in the baseball games at the Chase/Morrison estate. That was when I first realized what an outstanding athlete and all around good guy he was; Artie could do everything well, especially pitching. Later on when we were both in Little League,...
Tom Berry
January 22, 2024
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
STEPHEN KENNEDY
January 19, 2024 | Martinsburg, WV | Friend
Artie you will be so missed, we had a lot of memories together. I am so sorry that I wasnt in your life more. You were very special to me. Rest in peace my friend. Love Kerry
Kerry Rollo-Egan
January 17, 2024 | Galesferry, CT | Friend
So sorry to hear this. We were in Sunday school and BYF at Poquonnock Bridge Baptist church. Many,many years of friendship and great memories. May his family be comforted in the days to come.
Beverly Land Bennett
January 17, 2024 | Friend
Remembered By
Arthur Christian
January 16, 2024 | Salem, CT
I enjoyed sharing stories with Art when I was a guidance counselor at ELHS. We frequently played paddleball together and I especially enjoyed playing golf with him and other teachers when he and Bonnie hosted us at school year-end parties. I enjoyed his sense of humor and occasional conversations when we got together after he retired. Thanks for the good times, Art.
Tim Evers
January 16, 2024 | Mystic, CT
Art and I grew up together on Shennecossett Road, playing sports and games. Especially fun was sledding on the hill by his house: one path went narrowly between two pine trees, the other went to a high retaining wall by the street - you could swerve at the last moment, or launch off the wall onto the road (IF there was still snow on the road)! We were both short and played football with our older brothers, but we usually won because no one could tackle Artie. I remember when his father...
Charlie Chase
January 15, 2024 | Friend
Heaven has called home a true All-Star.
David Sdao
January 15, 2024 | Amherst, NY | Friend
