Calvin John Darula

Calvin John Darula
Calvin John Darula (Cal or Cookie to his family and closest friends), age 94, passed away on December 26, 2025. Cal, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, was born on December 29, 1930 in Greenwich CT. He was predeceased by his wife Lillian Humenick Darula; his parents John and Mary Darula; and great-grandchild, Lily Dunkerton. Cal lived in Greenwich most of his life, moving to Ocean Ridge, FL when his wife Lillian retired. They moved back to Greenwich in 2021 to live out their years where they raised their family.
Cal met his wife Lillian, the love of his life, at age 18. She always said she liked him immediately because he was honest, sincere, quiet, thoughtful, and just plain nice. Their courtship lasted 4 years; they then hurried their wedding date when he got drafted during the Korean War. They married on February 16, 1952 at Sacred Heart Church in Byram CT and together they achieved much, creating a close-knit family and building a beautiful life together of 71 years, having two daughters and one son.
Never one to be idle, as a teen Cal studied at the Radio and Television Institute in NY and began working for Al's Radio & TV in Port Chester. He then served as a corporal in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1952 to 1954 (leveraging his skills in radio repair) after which he joined the Greenwich Police Department. He retired after more than 30 years of service on January 1, 1987 in the Police Marine Division where he led a seven-member team of Marine Technicians.
Nothing made Cal happier than being with his children and their families. Lillian and Cal took many family vacations with their children and grandchildren - - we will always have the fondest memories of their vacation home in Vermont, summers at Woodloch Pines, and multiple cruises.
While Cal enjoyed golfing, bowling, fishing and boating, he far more enjoyed watching his five grandsons play sports including baseball, hockey, lacrosse and paintball. One of the highlights of his love of fishing was to win the $25,000 top prize in the WICC Greatest Bluefish Tournament (of which there were 4,500 entrants) with his son in August 2007. Lillian and Cal always shared a sense of adventure and loved to travel. They explored many parts of the world together, visiting a variety of places including Europe, Alaska, the Panama Canal and the Mexican Riviera.
An avid boater, Cal was a longtime member of the Greenwich Boat & Yacht Club for which he served as Commodore for multiple terms. He was also a member of the Byram Veterans, the Police Association of Connecticut, and the Greenwich Chapter of the American Legion.
Cal is survived by his son and two daughters and their spouses: Karen and Bruce Turnbull of Boynton Beach, FL, Calvin and Barbara Darula of Greenwich CT, and Maureen and Tom Dunkerton of Danbury CT. He also leaves behind five grandchildren (Bruce Turnbull, Christopher Turnbull, Jeffrey Dunkerton, Matthew Darula, Jonathan Darula) and nine great-grandchildren.
A mass will be held 11 a.m. Saturday January 24, 2026 at Sacred Heart Church in Byram CT, followed by a Celebration of Life reception at the Greenwich Boat & Yacht Club.