Eugene Virginius Connett IV

Stonington - Eugene Virginius Connett IV, aka "The Kid", died peacefully on June 12, 2009.

He was born in South Orange, N.J. on Jan. 21, 1920, the son of Eugene V. Connett III and Kathryn Elise (Underhill) Connett.

Eugene attended St. Paul's School in Concord, N.H., graduating in 1939. He attended Princeton as a multiple legacy and was a member of the Cottage Club and the crew team. In 1942 he graduated early to enlist as a first lieutenant in the Army Air Corps as a navigator and served on a classified assignment with the OSS in the Alsace-Lorraine region of France until 1945.

Following World War II, Eugene worked at David Ogilvy Associates in New York where he met his wife, Etheldred Slosson McGrew, of Geneva, N.Y.; she predeceased him. They were married on April 29, 1950. Later, Eugene became the vice president of the American Carpet Institute, worked for Springs Mills, Inc., and consulted to several manufacturers in the fiber industry.

Mr. Connett sailed competitively on the Great South Bay and instilled the love of sailing in each of his children. In the 1960s, he gained the reputation as a small boat racer's worst nightmare while sailing for Riverside Yacht Club in Riverside, Conn. In 1979, the Connett family moved to Stonington and joined the Wadawannuck Yacht Club.

His sterling civic and professional accomplishments are only eclipsed by his greater achievements as a magnificent father, faithful friend, and man of integrity. He was adored by all who knew him. The funny man is gone.

Eugene is survived by his five children and their partners, Stacey Migeon Connett Spartz, David Wolodko, Bevan Brecount Connett Kinney, Daniel Kinney, Kathryn Underhill Connett Loh, Richard C. Loh, Eugene Virginius Connett V, Lori R. Connett, Aubrey Fitzhugh Connett, and Kimberley H. Connett. He also was the proud grandfather to seven grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his sister, Elsie Migeon Connett Baker.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2009, at Calvary Episcopal Church, 27 Church St., Stonington CT 06378.

Donations may be made in his memory to Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern CT, 403 N. Frontage Road, Waterford CT 06385.