Dale Norris Treadway I of Gales Ferry CT. died peacefully on 11/1/21 at Fairview Nursing Facility.
A loving father and husband Dale was known for his wit, humor,warmth and kindheartedness.He was always ready to lend a helping hand wherever needed.
Afflicted with polio at an early age, Dale spent months at Newington Children's hospital learning how to walk again. Even though he was handicapped for the rest of his life, Dale was still able to lead a fulfilling and happy life.
Unable to join the military like his father and brothers, Dale found other ways to serve.He and his eldest brother Nelson joined the Gales Ferry Volunteer Fire Company,both becoming lifetime members.Dale was one of the last remaining member of the original crew.Dale then became a Ledyard Constable serving as many years as his handicap would allow.
Pursuing many other trades in his 82 years, Dale started out as a mechanic at Gott's garage in Groton, starting a lifetime love of old cars and antiques.From mechanic to photographer, locksmith, gunsmith, carpenter, mason ,electrician and 32 years at Electric Boat in Groton, rounded out the career of a man who never finished high school but earned his G.E.D. 35 years later.
Dale married the love of his life Alayne Drescher in 1963 and built them the happy home that they shared with their two children for 58 years.
Dale had many hobbies and interests. Self taught he created beautiful things out of stained glass, copper and wood. An avid reader he loved history and genealogy, tracing his own family's history all the way back to the crossing on the Mayflower, with people like Samuel Adams and Jessie James with whom he could claim kinship with. Calligraphy, cars, boats and lighthouses were among his many passions.
Dale loved being out on the water in his Criss Craft boat and driving his old Hudson to flea markets and swap meets at Devil's Hopyard in Haddam CT. Dale was a founding member of the Avery Point Lighthouse Society. He was instrumental in helping to restore and save the little stone navigational aid.He helped to sell the bricks that form the lovely pathway up to the lighthouse and printed out all the certificates that came with owning a piece of the restoration success. With his button making machine Dale had a lot of fun creating name tag buttons for all the many organizations that he was a part of through the years including the Animal Welfare League of New London, Weight watchers,and a post polio group.
Dale is survived by his wife Alayne and two children Marie and Dale II , his two nephews Lee and Rich, and two nieces Lynn and Melody. He was predeceased by his mother Gladys Griswold, his father Nelson SR. and his two brothers Nelson JR. and Richard.
It would take many more pages to honor what a wonderful,talented and truly remarkable man my father was .Loved respected and admired by family, friends and co-workers, words alone cannot justly express the depths of our sorrow and how much Dale will be missed.
Donations to the Gales Ferry Volunteer Fire Company may be made in honor of Dale for anyone wishing to do so!
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