Joseph Loomis Selden Jr.

1941 - 2024

East Lyme - Joseph Loomis Selden Jr., 83, of Niantic, went to be with his Lord on Nov. 11, 2024. He had recently been residing at Greentree Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation in Waterford.

Joe was born July 2, 1941, in Hartford, at Hartford Hospital, the son of Joseph L. and Ruth Coles Selden. He lived in many places growing up but spent most of his life in Niantic enjoying many activities on the Niantic River: fishing, boating, scalloping, lobstering and clamming.

Mr. Selden was a 1959 graduate of New London High School. After graduating, he joined the Army, spending most of his six years of service in Texas. It was there that he met his first wife, Diana Holland, and they married in 1960. In 1961, they had a son, Joseph L. Selden III. That marriage came to an end and Joe later met and married Susan Smallwood in 1982.

When he came back to Connecticut, he became a commercial fisherman/lobsterman, selling fish and lobsters to the local restaurants in the area. He owned two different boats: the Mary June (named for his sisters) and later the Ruth Grace (named for his mother.) He also performed as a singer and guitar player with local bands. For several years, he owned King Neptune, a popular fish market in Niantic. In later years, he worked as a longshoreman at New London's State Pier.

Joe was a member of Flanders Baptist and Community Church in East Lyme.

Joe leaves his wife of 42 years, Susan Selden; his son, Joseph L. Selden III of Niantic; his daughter, Dawn Swope of Old Lyme; his grandson, Joseph L. Selden IV of New London; and his great-grandson Dominick Robinson of Groton; his sister, Mary Jane Peterson of Gales Ferry; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by his brother, David H. Selden, his brother, Kenneth J. Selden and his sister, June C. Bull.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at the Flanders Baptist and Community Church, 162 Boston Post Road, East Lyme. Interment with military honors will be private in East Lyme Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home, 48 Grand Street, Niantic.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Flanders Baptist and Community Church at the above address. Please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com to leave the family an online condolence.