Anthony P. Halsey

Mystic - Anthony P. Halsey, 78, died June 6, 2008, with his family beside him.

He was born in 1930 in Orange N.J., the son of Ralph W. Halsey and Dorothy (March) Halsey. He graduated from The Hotchkiss School in 1949, joined the U.S. Army as 1st Lt. Airborne Artillery from 1950 to 1953. He earned the Bronze Star and various campaign ribbons in Korea. He returned and graduated from Yale in the class of 1956 with a bachelor of arts degree and was a member of Wolf's Head Society.

In 1957, he married Alexandra Linen of West Orange, N.J. Their four children include, Wendy, Linda, Anthony, and William.

Tony was a senior vice-president at the Chemcial Bank in New York until 1985. While still living in New Jersey, he was an elder at the Summit Presbyterian Church, a trustee at the Overlook Hospital, a director of Traveler's Aid Society, and a member of the Baltusrol Golf Club. In 1986, he moved to Mystic, where he brought his passion for his community by founding The Bank of Mystic as CEO and founding president. He was a founding chairman of the Stonington Country Club, treasurer of the Community Foundation, president of the Mystic Arts Association, director of the Norwich Savings Society, advisory board member for People's Bank, president of the Elm Grove Cemetery, trustee of the Mystic Seaport Museum, chairman of the Mystic Seaport Boat Preservation campaign, and head of pilots. He was trustee and treasurer of Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, owner of Livery Ltd. Transportation Service, member of the Romeos, and Mystic Congregational Church where he was a deacon.

His life revolved around his love of sailing; he was the commodore of Masons Island Yacht Club, member of the Offsoundings Club, the New York Yacht Club, Cruising Club of America, North American Station in Scandinavia, Nauyaug Cruising Club, and worked as a national archivist for Cruising Club of America in 2004. He sailed "Patriot" for 41 years, five years in Scandinavia, and up and down the east coast with his family and friends.

Besides his countless friends, he is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Sandy; his daughters, Wendy Halsey and Linda Halsey Bonadies and her husband, Anthony, and his sons, Anthony "Toby" Jr., his wife, Courtney Moore, and William, and his wife, Rebecca. He has seven grandchildren who will miss him dearly, Dana, Augie, Eli, Fran, Hannah, Peter, and Alex.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2008, at the Mystic Congregational Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Mystic Art Center Endowment Fund.

For directions or to share a note of remembrance or condolence with his family, please visit www.dinotofuneral.com.