David Cattanach

Waterford — David Lee Cattanach passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, May 12, 2022, at his home in Waterford. He was born Sept. 22, 1931, in Houston, Texas.

He graduated from Reagan High School in Houston.

He received a B.S. from the University of Houston; a master’s in education from the University of Hartford, and a Ph.D. in education from the University of Connecticut.

In 1953, he became a commissioned officer in the United States Navy. He served as first lieutenant and engineering officer on the minesweeper USS Symbol. He then attended the 100th class of Officer Submarine School in New London. In July of 1955, he reported to the USS Bugara in San Diego, where he was communications officer, assistant engineering officer and operations officer. From San Diego, he began corresponding with New London native and Connecticut College student Jeanne DeGange, whom he met while at sub school. He proposed by mail, and she accepted and flew to San Diego, where they were married in 1956. They divorced in 1969. He remained in the Naval Reserves from 1957 to 1967.

In 1957, he began his education career teaching grades four and five in Houston, Texas. From 1960 to 1963, he taught at Chester (Connecticut) Elementary School and then became principal of Bozrah Elementary School (Fields Memorial). In 1967, he became superintendent of schools in Westmoreland, N.Y. He returned to Connecticut in 1972 to become superintendent of regional district #8 (RHAM.) There he met the lovely special needs teacher Anne Curran. They married in 1975. In 1983, he became Waterford’s superintendent of schools, a position he held until his retirement in 1992. In retirement, he served as an interim principal and superintendent in several area towns and also served for many years on the Waterford RTM. David and Anne were active members of the Second Congregational Church in New London, where he served as the church treasurer for many years.

He is survived by his daughter Suzanne Cattanach; stepdaughter Lisa Curran Parenteau (Fred); stepson William Wismer; grandchildren: Lee Cattanach, Benjamin Metz (Lindsay) and their daughter Eloise, Daniel Metz (Jo), Chris Parenteau and Alex Parenteau; brother Michael Epperson (Debbie); and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom will miss him dearly. David was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Anne Cattanach; his daughter Mary Jeanne Cattanach Dewey; parents, David Cattanach and Mary Cattanach Epperson; and stepfather, Ernest Epperson; siblings, Robert Cattanach, Mary Ann Brown and Carolyn Beezly.

The family is grateful for David and Anne’s extended family of support and caregivers especially Ailed Medina, Stephanie Cahoon and Shanique Johnson.

There will be a memorial gathering at a later date. In recognition of David’s lifelong love of reading, donations may be made in his memory to the Waterford Public Library or any literacy program.