John E. Ackley Jr.

Groton - John E. Ackley Jr., also known by many as "Jack" or "Cy", 83, of Groton, passed away surrounded by his loving family Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital.

He was born in Groton, on April 5, 1930, the son of John E. and Alice (Daniels) Ackley. John graduated from Buckley School in New London. On Jan. 20, 1951 he married the love of his life, Mary Rafferty. They recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary.

Following his military service he went to work with his father John, uncle Ted, and cousin Ted Jr., also known as Ackley Brothers. They started with raising cattle at Bluff Point and went on to growing potatoes in southeastern CT. Their business interest turned to development and included High Rock Mobile Park and Birch Plains Golf Course in Groton.

Although he spent many long, hard days working, he always found the time for the things he loved the most. Gardening, woodworking, and his fruit trees were three of his passions, but what he cherished more than anything was spending time with his family.

John is survived by his loving wife, Mary; and his five children, John III and his wife, Debbie, Gary and his wife, Sandy, Randy and his wife, Rosemary, Kathy Carton and her husband, John, and Lisa Zeppieri and her husband, Fred. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren, Jaimie Lichaj and her husband, Tom, John IV, Amy Musselman and her husband, Shawn, Gary and his wife, Amanda, Scott and his wife, Bethany, Brian, Kayley, Kristine, Sarah, John, Jeffrey, and Holly, Molly, Luke, Alanna, Owen and Aubree.

He leaves behind five siblings, Catherine and her husband, Ted, Beverly Cook and her husband, Dave, Marian Lamb, Calvin and his wife, Dawn, and Susan Schmidtknecht and her husband, Rich; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother-in-law, Allyn Lamb; and niece, Dina Umrysz.

Visiting hours will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, at the Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St., Groton, followed by a funeral service at 12:30 p.m. at the Poquonnock Bridge Baptist Church, Rt. 1 and South Road, Groton. Interment with military honors will be in Smith Lake Cemetery.

Donations in his memory may be directed to a charity of the donor's choice.

Please visit www.byles.com to sign the guestbook or to share a memory.