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John Raymond Soehnlein

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University of Bridgeport

John Soehnlein Obituary

Soehnlein, John Raymond
John Raymond Soehnlein, 70, of Branford and Jensen Beach, FL, died suddenly Tuesday, May 19, 2020. He was the son of the late Kunigunde and George Soehnlein of Kingston, NY. He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years Carol Hargadon Soehnlein, his adored children Alison (Michael) Gaffney of Waxhaw, NC and Barry Soehnlein of Guilford. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Derek, Bridget and Kayla Gaffney and Katherine and Jacqueline Soehnlein. He was predeceased by his son Gregory, and brothers Frederick and George. John graduated with a BS from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute and received an MBA and MS in Engineering Management from the University of Bridgeport. He was retired from Sikorsky Aircraft. In retirement, he kept busy volunteering at The Shoreline Trolley Museum, Shubert Theater, Branford Community Garden, Westbrook Elks Veterans Committee in CT, and in FL at the Navy Seal Museum, the Lyric Theater, and Sea to Shore Alliance. He enjoyed pursuing his considerable talents in watercolor painting in FL and stone cutting at the Guilford Art Center. Time with his golfing buddies was one of his greatest joys, second only to time with his much loved family. Family was everything to him. He was greatly loved and will be missed by many.
Due to Corona virus, plans for a memorial service are on hold. Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to the Branford Food Pantry (www.branfordfoodpantry.org/).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The New Haven Register on May 25, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for John Soehnlein

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24 Entries

Brad Nelson

May 19, 2025

It´s hard to believe that John has been gone so long. I miss him. I loved busting his chops. After golf on Thursdays, he would bring his little four-legged friend to visit with my paralyzed wife, Cora. It meant so much to both of us and he always made the time in spite of his schedule. Our Golf group is constantly remembering John on the golf course... Usually some of the funny things that he said or did. John will always be in our hearts..

Phil Sengle

May 19, 2023

John: I will never forget you. You became one of my best friends. Such a loss of a man of great energy and accomplishment.
Phil

Judy

May 19, 2021

Kayaking season has begun again. Think of John each season. He is missed.

judy thompson

Planted Trees

Gary Rast

June 16, 2020

Carol & Family,
I just heard about John passing away and Sylvia and I extend our deepest regrets. For the many years we worked together at Sikorsky I greatly appreciated his tremendous work ethic And loyalty to the company. His ability to gain the trust and confidence of the customer resulted in a relationship that contributed to many Sikorsky successes. His job description was to go out and win a world of friends and that is what he did so well. He will be missed by many, but not forgotten.
Sincere Regrets,
Gary Rast

Judy thompson

June 7, 2020

John was one of the leaders of our kayak club, Branford Kayak Club. He was so personable, supportive, positive and fun to be with. He was so interesting. His activities were so diverse. I was getting ready to retire and worried about lifes changes and he was an inspiration. I was looking forward to paddling this summer with him. He will be sorely missed.

Lynn Jacobs

May 29, 2020

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

GERD SCHUBERT

May 28, 2020

John, you were a good human being! BLEIB EIN VERNUENFTIGER MENSCH!
It was a pleasure to know you! Peace to you and your family,
Gerd Schubert

James McQueeny

May 28, 2020

John and I used to walk home together from St Josephs elementary school in Oradell/New Milford starting in the third grade. In fact, I have a class picture from the third grade and he is in it. Even then (imagine that today!), he showed me how to cross the railroad tracks from the woods b/c he learned how (by himself, he said). He lived right next to the tracks in River Edge and knew all the train times. (Funny how that cones to mind now). He was a very smart kid, and he would go about things alone, talking intensely about the process Afterwards, hed be thrilled by the complexity, not frustrated by it. I also went to River Dell with him, graduating in 67. Most recently, we caught up on old times with our periodic class reunion dinners at the Emerson Hotel. He wasnt financially well-off growing up, and neither was I, growing up in welfare in an Irish immigrant family of 7. (I think I recall HIS father was an immigrant too?). He and I would talk at those dinners about how lucky we were later on in life. Because we were both history books, he spoke of a special bookstore up his way and invited me up to it and for lunch. Im sorry now I couldnt do that. A good man. A good life lived.

Michael Hildreth

May 27, 2020

Having only known John the last 6 yrs volunteering at the trolley museum he will be missed. I've learned alot from from him during that time...I will miss his love of the tours and speeches to the public ...He will be rremembered.My condolence to entire family

Carol Jervis (Fiocco)

May 27, 2020

My sincerest and heartfelt sympathy to John's family. I graduated high school with John and remember talking with him at one of our many gatherings. He was so kind and interesting to talk to. He will be missed. RIP John.

Anna & Roland Hoelscher

May 27, 2020

Sending love & prayers to all. We are still in shock. John was truly one of the good guys & will be so missed by everyone. So many great memories of the times we spent together as kids & all the family gatherings. Rest In Peace. You will always be with us.

Twyla Sullivan

May 27, 2020

Dear Carol and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Twyla and Dan Sullivan

Dave Jurkiewicz

May 27, 2020

My heartfelt condolences to Carol and family. I have many remembrances of John since our move to Branford. The Thursday golf outings followed by an enjoyable lunch with lively conversation may be the highlight. There was also the wine making, which John organized, card playing, and times at the Elks Lodge and Branford to name a few. Another remembrance was when I wanted to paint the garage floor, but I was very hesitant about using muriatic acid to prepare the surface. John came over, unafraid and made ready the floor not allowing me to enter the garage. You had to be there to appreciate the moment. John Soehnlein, a great friend. He will truly be missed.
Dave Jurkiewicz
Friend

Thomas F Williams

May 26, 2020

John was a neighbor and good friend. John and I were members of the original golf group that he coordinated for Riverwalk. I cherish the memory of John and I paddling the waters of Branford Point and The Creek on kayak adventures.
John was always willing to try something new and give it his all.
The memory of his friendship will never be forgotten.
May he Rest In Peace.
Tom Williams
Friend

Pauline Soehnlein

May 25, 2020

When I think of John I think of family.All the family picnics that we had John was always in the middle of the planning.I think of the many cousins brunches at West Point, first cousins only, and 3 generations coming together for our family gatherings. He loved doing this. When time passed and we lost so many, John would call me and say "it'S TIME" for our family to be together,lets plan it. His call came in December and we agreed on the Spring. We will still have our gathering and John will be us because for him it was always family. Rest in peace dear cousin,you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Donna and Mike Barnick

May 25, 2020

Dear Carol, Alison and families - we are so sorry for your loss. I remember being so surprised and impressed when he was our tour guide at the trolley museum. You could tell he really enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others to give us more respect for history.

Gail C. Smith

May 25, 2020

To John's Family - Carol, Allison and Derek, please accept my deepest condolences on the sudden passing of your husband and father. He loved working at Sikorsky and was good at his job. He made many steadfast friends; was always inquisitive, wanting to learn more; gave generously of his time, and most of all, spoke of you often and loved you.
To lose your husband and father so suddenly at his young age is so sad, and my heart goes out to you and to all your children.
Very Sincerely,
Gail C Smith
Library Manager - Res & Engng (Retired)
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.

Brad Nelson

May 25, 2020

John was a dear friend with a thirst for knowledge and and abundance of energy. He was so generous with his time and was the first to volunteer to help anyone in need. When we first moved into Branford he invited me to join the small golf group in our development and subsequently did a hand off to me to organize it when he bought a second home in Florida with his special wife Carol. I loved sparring with him verbally and will miss his illustrious wit. He was a good man and will be missed by many.

Charles Brady

May 25, 2020

John will be missed by all. I first met John when I was stationed in Germany and he was representing Sikorsky at a Conference. He would be telling jokes and laughing all the time. John was fun to be around. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Philip Sengle

May 25, 2020

John was a good friend who was strong, dedicated, creative, and intelligent. No obstacle was too difficult for him. I met him at the Westbrook Elks Lodge in 2010 where he single handedly rejuvenated their veterans program creating many wonderful events that are still being repeated today. His efforts on behalf of the Branford Trolley Museum were immeasurable I've been told. Perhaps what he was most proud of was his critical role in the development of the Medivac Variant of the Blackhawk Helicopter at Sikorsky in spite of corporate resistance. If you were in a fox hole, you would want John beside you. I will miss you John, your friend Phil Sengle.

Louis Bianchini

May 25, 2020

John was a trusted loyal friend, full of life and fellowship. He lived for each occasion and enjoyed bringing people together with great satisfaction. He graciously gave his time volunteering and doing good things for others. He will surely be missed and I lost a good friend.

Silvio Albino

May 25, 2020

I enjoyed working with and getting to know John at Sikorsky. I learned much from him and in particular loved his story about running into Mr Igor Sikorsky back in the day! Wishing his family and close friends peace.

Nick Lappos

May 25, 2020

John was fantastic. Bright and funny, smart as a whip and able to draw a smile out of any situation. He knew his customer (the US Army), his products (the fantastic Black Hawk helicopter), and his coworkers (we who were lucky enough to work with him). There were many successes because he made them happen, and a few disappointments that made him work all the harder. John lit up the room when he entered, and I am sure he's doing that now, bless him. We will miss him.

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