Bulkeley Smith Jr.

Mystic - Bulkeley Smith Jr., 89, died June 11, 2010, at Avalon Health Care Center at Stone Ridge.

He was born in Worcester, Mass., on March 11, 1921, the son of Bulkeley Smith and Elizabeth Smith.

At the onset of World War II, he interrupted his studies at Yale to volunteer for the American Field Service. He drove ambulances in the North African Campaign and subsequently in France and Germany. After the war, he returned to Yale, where he met and married his wife, Helen.

Following his graduation, he explored various paths including teaching English at Yale where he later pursued advanced degrees. After acquiring his Doctorate in Sociology, he joined the faculty at Mt. Holyoke College where he rose to chairman of the Sociology Department. He retired from this position in 1983, when he and his wife moved to Noank. They moved to Mystic in 2005.

He was a voracious reader and also a small boat enthusiast. He enjoyed sailing, canoeing and other outdoor pursuits. For many years, he was deeply involved in The Noank Historical Society; The Ram Island Yacht Club; The Mystic Seaport; and The Mystic Art Association.

He is survived by Helen, his wife of 63 years; his daughter, Abigail Scholl and her husband, Michael Scholl; and his granddaughters, Elizabeth and Nancy Scholl. He is also survived by his brother, William Ellery Smith and his wife, Elizabeth; his nephew, William Ellery Smith Jr. and his wife, Cynthia.

Burial will be private at the family's request.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made in his memory to The Stonington Land Trust, P.O. Box 812, Stonington, CT 06378 or Hospice Southeastern Connecticut, 227 Dunham Street, Norwich, CT 06360.