Roy Aarsand

Quaker Hill — Roy Eric Aarsand, 52, of Quaker Hill, passed away unexpectedly at his home on March 5, 2018. He was born on Oct. 5, 1965, in Hartford. He was the son of the late Knut B. Aarsand and Shirley E. (Carlson) Aarsand.

Roy attended the Ella T. Grasso Technical High School, graduating in 1985, after studying carpentry. He joined the U.S. Army National Guard in 1985 as a machinist and was assigned to the AVCRAD in Groton. He was a Gulf War veteran of Desert Storm/Desert Shield serving overseas in 1991.

He grew up in Niantic and there learned a love of the outdoors. He enjoyed many outdoor pursuits, including commercial fishing, hunting, hiking, trapping and skiing to name a few. For more than 20 years, he was self-employed in the hardwood flooring industry, and was recently employed as a machinist at Electric Boat in Groton.

Roy will be greatly missed by all who knew him and enjoyed his dry sense of humor and his down-to-earth personality. He will be remembered as a loving father and great friend. He is survived by his twin sons Anders Aarsand and Erik Aarsand and brothers Peter Aarsand and Carl Aarsand. He was predeceased by his parents Knut Aarsand and Shirley Aarsand.

A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 15, at Stedfast Baptist Church, 256 North Road, Groton. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Arrangements made by Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home in Niantic. Condolences may be shared at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.