Carl Willis

It’s been a year since we’ve seen your smiling face. You are missed, loved and never forgotten.

ALWAYS YOUR WIFE AND FAMILY

Mystic — Carl Willis, born Feb. 14, 1915, a lifelong resident of Mystic, died Saturday, June 24, 2017. at home surrounded by his family.

He was 102 years old.

Born in Mystic, he was the son of the late Carlton and Mary Jane (Chesbro) Willis.

He was a bulldozer operator for Savin Construction Co. in Hartford for 45 years and a member of the operating engineers, retiring in 1979.

Carl is survived by his daughter, Rosalie Maguire-Watson and her husband, Henry, of Preston; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brother Hoover Willis of Mystic; and a daughter-in-law, Sharon Willis of Colchester. He was predeceased by his wife, Vivian (DeRoy) Willis; a son, Carl A. Willis; his siblings, Mary Balestracci, Iolia Main, Lucille Watson, and Charles, Herbert, Hoyt and Herschel Willis; and two nephews, David and Donald Main. After his retirement, Carl enjoyed the outdoors; he planted a big garden every year with tomatoes, corn, asparagus, rhubarb and even sunflowers, as well as asters and zinnias. He set up a small stand to sell what he grew. He took pride in his apple and peach trees, starting them from seedlings. He also grew strawberries all from his home on Noank Ledyard Road. He also enjoyed running his saw mill, and cutting firewood. He enjoyed winters in Florida but always returned to his Mystic home to plant his garden when the snow melted.

He will be missed dearly by his family and friends.

His family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, at the Mystic Funeral Home located on Route 1 in Mystic. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Thomas More Church, 87 Mystic Road, North Stonington (Route 201). His burial will follow at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Mystic.