Obituary of Willoughby Lynde Lay

Woodstock-Willoughby Lynde Lay, the son of Willoughby Lynde Lay, Jr. and Mary Madeline Shea, passed away peacefully at home, on September 4, 2012 at the age of 92. He was born July 25, 1920 in Stamford, CT but lived for many years in Devon and Milford, CT. He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Josephine Surgalis Lay; and his brother Frank Harrison Lay. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law; Laura Curley and Raymond Gravelin, Jr. of Woodstock, Ct., and his grandson Kevin Curley and his wife Alana Garcia of Spring Lake, Michigan. During World War II, Willoughby served in the United States Army, Battery E, 242nd Coast Artillery and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant in January 1945. For 35 years and until his retirement in 1982, he worked at the Milford Rivet and Machine Company as supervisor of inspection, quality control and, shipping and receiving. A man of many trades, he also worked part-time as a real estate agent in Milford and Woodstock, which he enjoyed immensely, a used car salesman, Special Detail police officer with the Milford Police Department and a volunteer fireman for the Point Beach Volunteer Fire Brigade. In retirement with his wife Josephine, they moved to their summer home in Woodstock. He served as the Service Officer for veterans in Woodstock and served on the board of the Roxbury Village Housing Authority for several years. In his spare time, he enjoyed working in the yard, building fieldstone walls on their property, listening to music and spending time with his family, especially with his grandson, and friends. Graveside services were held, September 8, 2012 at Woodstock Hill Cemetery, Woodstock, Ct. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a memorial donation to two helpful charities in Willoughby's life, the YMCA and Bungay Fire Brigade, Woodstock. YMCA of Greater Hartford, Attn: Susan Joyse, Sr. Director of Development/Donor Relations, 241 Trumbull Street Hartford, CT 06103, Please indicate that your gift, in memory of Willoughby L. Lay, is intended for the: Regional Community YMCA Building Campaign, Putnam, CT Bungay Fire Brigade, EMT Squad, 1256 Route 171, West Woodstock, CT 06281 Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam was in charge of the arrangements. To share a memory with his family "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com