John Sikora Loraine Patterson
Old Saybrook — John “Jack” Chester Sikora passed away on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, with his family by his side.
The son of John Francis Sikora and Agnes (Gawronski) Sikora, Jack was born in Norwich in 1943. Jack was a 1965 graduate of Danbury State College/Western Connecticut State University, from which he retired from faculty and administration after three decades of professional affiliation. A Ford Foundation Fellow and recipient of a Shell International Fellowship, he received graduate credentials from Syracuse University. Jack was an author of wide-ranging publications including Batcats and Religions of India. He served in the War on Poverty as a volunteer in service to America in Appalachia.
He was commissioned as an Air Force second lieutenant and flew in 96 combat missions in southeast Asia and Vietnam.
Jack was predeceased by his much-loved wife of 47 years, Linnea (Abbott) Sikora. Jack and Lynn travelled extensively and taught in Saudi Arabia and Thailand. He was a faithful member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Essex and a proud part of the faith community of Art Methodist Church in Art, Texas. Jack had a deep and abiding affection for the Lord, his family, and in a very special way for his numerous friends and his fellow veterans.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Bob Labriola, daughter, Tempe Sikora; grandaughter, Caroline Labriola; sister and brotherin-law, Barbara and Louis Selvidio, and their children.
Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main St., Centerbrook. Funeral services to follow at 11:30 a.m at Saint John’s Church, Main Street, Essex. Interment with the rendering of full military honors will follow in the Cypress Cemetery in Old Saybrook.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jack’s name to Camp Rising Sun Charitable Foundation, P.O. Box 472, Branford, CT 06405 or Veterans In Distress Outreach, P.O. Box 192, Old Lyme, CT 06371.
To share a memory of Jack or send a condolence to his family please visit www. rwwfh.com.
Port Charlotte, Fla. — Loraine Patterson, 90, of Port Charlotte, passed away on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018.
She was born in Ledyard, on Jan. 24, 1928, in the farmhouse where she was raised. She was the daughter of Nora (Massey) Whipple and Emerson Whipple. Loraine graduated from Fitch Senior High School in Groton where she received many honors for her musical talent. She attended New London Business School after high school.
She was married to Leigh C. Patterson from Jan. 24, 1948, until his death in 1991. Together they raised three children. Loraine worked for the Ledyard School System at Juliet Long School in the 1960s and 1970s as a secretary. She and her husband Leigh worked in real estate for a brief few years.
Loraine was a talented local musician from the time she was a child playing accordion and singing with her sister, Mildred and brother, Emerson. As a teenager she performed in USO shows.
With her husband Leigh they formed a band that came to be known as the New Innkeepers. Loraine played keyboard and sang. They were well known locally and had a regular gig at Lighthouse Inn in New London for many years. When she and Leigh moved to Port Charlotte they played as a duo at local venues in Florida until his death.
For the past 25 years Loraine had been fortunate in love a second time, and had a partner and constant companion, Albert Pichette who survives her. They enjoyed playing golf, attending local festivals and spending time with family.
She is survived by her three children, Richard Patterson and his wife, Terri, of Rock Hill, S.C., Lori Watrous and her husband, Larry, of Ballwin, Mo. and Nancy Patterson of Port Charlotte, Fla. She is survived by six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Surviving her is her brother, Russell Whipple of Groton; and Margery Rabon of Gales Ferry.
Preceding her in death were her brothers, Stanley and Emerson Whipple; and sisters, Mildred Rand and Dorothy Loftus.
A celebration of life and interment of ashes at the Gales Ferry Cemetery will be held at a date to be determined by the family.
Please visit Kays-ponger. com to leave the family your thoughts, memories and condolences on the online guest book.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Loraine’s name to the American Lung Association or a charity of your choice.