Lawrence "Larry" Chestnut Jr.

Lawrence "Larry" Chestnut Jr., 86, of Ellington, beloved husband of 62 years to Rhoda Jean (Toth) Chestnut, passed away on Thursday, April 15, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Newport, Rhode Island, the son of the late Lawrence and Mary Ann (Oksa) Chestnut, he grew up in Montville and was a graduate of New London High School. Larry earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut. He lived in Mountain View, California, before moving to Ellington 52 years ago. He proudly served his country for 21 years in the U S. Navy and in the Naval Reserves retiring as a commander in 1977. Larry graduated from the Naval Training Command in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1957. He was a pilot in Navy Squadron VP-56 and served during the Vietnam Conflict and was a Cold War Warrior flying numerous anti-submarine warfare missions in such aircraft as the PBM-5 Mariner, the P2V Neptune and others. Larry was employed by the University of Connecticut in the administration department for many years before his retirement in 1992. He was an avid reader, reading extensively about the Civil War.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Lawrence Chestnut III of Ellington; three granddaughters, Serena, Andrea, and Lacey. all of Ellington, and his sister Barbara Blatter of Port Angeles, Washington. He was predeceased by his son, Christopher Chestnut, who passed away in April of last year.

Memorial donations in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project,

P. O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.

Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home in Vernon is caring for the arrangements. For online condolences and guest book, please visit

www.carmonfuneralhome.com