Atty Wayne G. Tillinghast

12/21/1935 - 9/26/2025

Groton Long Point - Attorney Wayne G. Tillinghast, 89, of Groton Long Point, husband of Roslind (Russell) Tillinghast, died Sept. 26,2025. He was born Dec. 21, 1935, at Norwich, the son of George E. and Isabelle (O'Connell) Tillinghast.

He attended the Norwich public schools, graduated from the Norwich Free Academy in 1953, and from the University of Connecticut in 1957. He received a law degree, with honors, from the University of Connecticut Law School in 1960, ranking first in his class and serving as an editor of the Law Review.

Upon his admission to the bar in 1960, he became an associate in the Norwich law firm of Gilman, Jacobson, Laudone and Dutton. In 1966, he became a partner in the newly formed firm of Brown, Jacobson, Jewett and Laudone, later known as Brown, Jacobson, Tillinghast, Lahan and King, and eventually known as Brown Jacobson P.C. Tillinghast was a civil trial lawyer concentrating his practice on the representation of hospitals and physicians in the defense of medical malpractice lawsuits. He became board certified in civil trial practice when that certification became available in the early 1980s.

He was an adjunct professor of law at the University of Connecticut Law School where on Monday afternoons from 1979 to 1999, he taught a class on trial practice. He often lectured at legal seminars throughout the state on various aspects of trial strategy. He was a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and an advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates, both of which organizations limit membership to peer review invitation. He was a past president of the Connecticut Defense Lawyers Association, and was listed in The Best Lawyers in America from 1983 until his retirement.

He married Roslind Russell July 11, 1959, at St. Mary's Church in Norwich. The couple resided and raised their four children in Norwich, moving to Groton Long Point in 1987. He and Roz headed for Florida every spring since the late 1980s where he enjoyed Mets Spring Training and she enjoyed the beach and shopping. They also winter vacationed for many years on St. Croix. Although originally a Yankees fan, he became a devoted New York Mets fan in 1965. He was also a fan of professional tennis and UConn women's basketball.

He is survived his wife Roslind; and was predeceased by their son Wayne Tillinghast Jr. He is also survived by their children: Brian Tillinghast and his wife Rowena, of Redwood Shores, Calif., Karen Shusterman, and her husband Robert, of Hull, Mass., and Susan Sainsbury and her husband Paul, of Stonington. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Hillary Shusterman, Emma Sainsbury, Kyle Tillinghast, M.D., Colton Shusterman, Ethan Sainsbury and Kelsey Tillinghast. He is also survived by a brother, George E. Tillinghast Jr., of Glastonbury; a sister, Isabelle A. Raines, of Gainsville, Va.; a stepsister, Shirley (Thornton) Eddelman, of Spring Hill, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

Tillinghast was an avid reader with a special interest in history. One of his hobbies was archival research. In addition to the publication of legal articles, he authored several historical articles and two books. He won a national award for scholarly research for his book, "The Tillinghasts in America: The First Four Generations," a series of several hundred biographical sketches of the descendants of Pardon Tillinghast who settled in Providence, R.I. in the 1640s. He won a similar award from the Rhode Island Genealogical Society for his article, "The Three Captains Joseph Tillinghast of Providence." He also wrote a book about life in Providence during the year 1797 entitled "1797 The Year The Elephant visited Providence."

Before moving to Groton, he served for several years as a trustee, a member of the executive committee, and an officer of the Norwich Free Academy. He also previously served as a director of the New London County Mutual Insurance Company, a corporator of the Norwich Savings Society, and a corporator of the William W. Backus Hospital. Following his retirement, he became a regular at the daily luncheon crowd at the Dog Watch Café in Stonington Borough where he enjoyed the company of the friendly staff, as well as that of his fellow patrons.

At his request funeral arrangements will be private and there will be no calling hours. The Dinoto Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.