John P. Lemmon Jr.

Joseph P. Lemmon Jr, 77, of Waterford died at his home in Port Charlotte, Florida on March 23, 2012. He was born in New London on October 12, 1934 to the late Joseph Lemmon Sr. and Dorothy (Clark) Lemmon. Joseph graduated high school from Chapman Technical High School in New London in 1952. He was employed at the Electric Boat Company as a rigger and retired after many decades of service to the company in 1998. He served as a steward for the Boilermakers Union where he thoroughly enjoyed playing Santa Claus during the holidays for the families of the Boiler Makers Union. He was a Mastermason at Bay View Lodge #120 in Niantic, Connecticut. In addition, Joseph served in the United States Army for 4 years, including service during the Korean War. In his spare time Joseph enjoyed riding his boat up and down the canals of Florida. He was an avid gardener enjoying both his vegetable gardens and numerous fruit trees and also loved to cook. He was a lover of animals and had a kind heart and always had a smile on his face. He will be truly missed by everyone that knew and loved him. Joseph is survived by his wife of 50 years Diane (Morse) Lemmon of Port Charlotte, Florida; his 3 sons Joseph Lemmon III and his wife Darlene of Waterford; Richard Lemmon of Port Charlotte, Florida; and Duane Lemmon of New London; and 3 grandchildren Amanda Arnold, Ellie Lemmon and Alexia Lemmon. He is also survived by his sister Elaine Martin and his brother Robert Lemmon. Funeral service will be held on Friday March 30, 2012 at 11 O'clock at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home 12 Ocean Avenue New London. Interment with military honors will follow in Jordan Cemetery, Waterford. Calling hours will be held on Thursday evening from 4 to 7pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Connecticut Humane Society 169 Old Colchester Road Quaker Hill, CT 06385. For directions, obituary information, to sign the online register please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com