Wilfred Caron

Mystic - Willie Caron, a local tree farmer and conservationist, World War II veteran, and expressive artist, went home to the Lord on September 5, 2007. He was 93.

Willie was born on Jan. 27, 1914 in Willimantic, one of eight children born to the late Marie Caron Harbec and Michel Caron.

Throughout his long and fruitful life, Willie wore many hats.

During the Depression, he was a member of the Civil Conservation Corps, helping to build trails throughout the country and doing related forestry activities. This experience fostered his deep love of woods and the environment, leading to his eventual establishment of tree farms in Connecticut.

Willie served honorably in the U.S. Army in North Africa and Europe during the Second World War, attaining the rank of 1st sergeant. His soldiering took him to Morocco, Algeria, Italy, France and Germany. Selected to be one of the first U.S. Army Rangers serving with the First Company of Rangers under the command of the hard-charging courageous Colonel Darby, he was the Colonel's personal adjutant and guard. Moreover, Willie employed his French language skills as interpreter for staff officers in France, and his 45th division marched up the Rhone Valley into Germany, where they occupied the Munich area and protected materials seized at Berchtesgaden, Hitler's retreat.

After Willie's discharge from the army in 1945, he returned to the Mystic area, where he worked first at the Stonington Velvet Mill and then at Edgemere Manor, one of the finer restaurants in southeastern Connecticut at that time. There his roles included waiter, chef, and party planner. Subsequently, he was employed at the Electric Boat as a forklift operator.

Willie had tree farms on Rt. 27 in Old Mystic and behind his residence on New London Road. Besides selling timber and firewood, for many years Willie sold Christmas trees that he raised. Over the years many residents of Mystic and surrounding towns went to his tree farm for their Christmas trees, and the Town of Mystic was the beneficiary of his trees for its holiday celebrations. He was awarded recognition by the American Tree Farm System for having the longest operating Christmas tree farm in Connecticut - 50 years, from 1941 to 1991. No one else has matched that distinction to date for a Connecticut Christmas tree operator.

Willie dabbled in art and was influenced by the Abstract Expressionists. He enjoyed incorporating pieces of wood and stumps into his multimedia concoctions that included drippings of polymers and semi-precious stones.

Willie was predeceased by his brothers, Michel and Leon and his sister, Alice Ripple.

He is survived by four sisters, Maryann Lisee of Murrieta, Calif., Cecile Iverson of Mystic, Lucy Brooks of Washington, Maine and Michelene Faulise of Pawcatuck. He also leaves behind his brother-in-law, Charles Ripple of Mystic, numerous nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

Mystic Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A Mass will be held at St. Patrick's Church in Mystic on Saturday, September 15th, at 2 p.m. Burial will be private. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT. 06492 or to a charity of the donor's choice.

A memorial service will be scheduled at the convenience of the family at a later date.

Please visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com for our online guest book.