Andrew J. Ciminera Sr.

1924 - 2015

Mystic - Andrew J. Ciminera Sr., 91, of Mystic, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015, at the Westerly Hospital, with his family by his side.

He was the beloved husband of 70 years to Marjorie (Doolittle) Ciminera who he married on April 7, 1945 while still on active duty in the Army Air Corps Born in Waterbury, he was the son of the late Frank and Mary (Diorio) Ciminera and lived in Mystic for the past 55 years.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corp on Nov. 13, 1942, completing his basic training in Miami, Fla. Following his training, he was sent to the radio operator's school and later completed his aerial gunnery course. Andy was eventually assigned to a B-24 Bomber as radio operator and gunner. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 6, 1946.

Andy began his career at Electric Boat that spanned 17 years and was responsible for the operation and maintenance of numerous subs. After his career with EB, he took a position with the Naval Underwater Systems Center (NUSC) as an editor for sonar guideline manuals where he was instrumental in developing and editing documentation covering the surface ship SQS-23 sonar system and also writing and editing several tech manuals on equipment and diesel generators and any other type of Army equipment. Later, he transferred to the Navy office of supervisor of shipbuilding at EB. After retiring from the federal government in 1992, he returned to work as a self-employed consultant for several more years up until his final retirement in 2011.

Andy was active in town politics for many years serving several terms in public office. He was elected to the RTM in 1961 and served until he was appointed to the town council to fill a vacancy and was re-elected and served as a councilman until 1971. While a councilman, he was appointed to the S.E. CT water authority advisory board serving as chairman and in 1986 was appointed to the board of directors as vice-chairman and later as chairman. He also served as chairman of the S.E. CT regional transportation advisory board eventually establishing the southeastern area transit (SEAT).

In addition to his wife Marjorie, he leaves his three children, Ronna Pollard and her husband, Edward, of Stonington, Susan McVeigh and her husband, James, of Pawcatuck and Andrew J. Ciminera Jr. of Stratham, N.H.; five grandchildren, Jason Pollard and his wife, Sarah, Joshua Pollard and his wife, Latisha, Kelly McVeigh and her fiancé, Bronson, James McVeigh and Nickolas Ciminera; four great-grandchildren, Joshua Pollard Jr., Paige, Matthew and Griffin Pollard.

He was predeceased by his seven siblings.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, at St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church, 69 Groton Long Point Road, Groton, where Andy was a longtime parishioner. Burial will follow with military honors at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Mystic. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or to the Shriners Hospital for Children (www.shrinershospitalforchildren.org).

The Mystic Funeral Home, Route 1, has charge of arrangements.

Please visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com to leave an online message of condolence to the family.