Patrick L. Carroll, Jr.
Patrick L, Carroll, Jr., a lifelong resident of Fairfield and beloved husband of 60 years to the late Millicent M. Carroll, died on February 28th at Carolton Convalescent Hospital surrounded by his family’s love a few weeks shy of his 101st birthday.
“Pat” was a graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School and Roger Ludlowe High School. In 1942 he became a firefighter with the Army Corps of Engineers at Bradley Field. He left the corps to volunteer for the Army in February 1943. A WWII veteran, Pat served in the European Theater in England and Germany and graduated from Infantry Officer’s Candidate School in Fontainebleau, France as a Second Lieutenant in June 1945. He spent 17 months in Berlin as an M.P. Platoon Leader in Templehof Airdrome where in addition to other duties he was assigned as the Battalion’s Escort Officer providing security for and escorting VIPs during their visits to Berlin, one of whom was General George Patton at the VJ parade in Berlin. His active duty ended in February 1947 and shortly thereafter he joined a Reserve Unit and stayed until his retirement in 1970 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
After the war, Pat returned to Fairfield and joined the Police Department in 1948, retiring as a Captain in 1978. While serving as an officer, he was invited to attend the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia and graduated in 1960. He was an officer in the Connecticut Chapter of the National Academy Association for many years.
Pat lived a life dedicated to public service. He founded the Fairfield Police Athletic League, was President of the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club where he was honored as one of the first inductees of their Wakeman Hall of Fame for all of his work, including his support of girls’ membership in the club. He served as a Fairfield Fire Commissioner, Shellfish Commissioner, and Harbor Management Commissioner and was active in the adoption of the Town’s Harbor Management Plan in 1995. He was a charter member of the Citizens Advisory Council to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and served for many years as a member of the New England Fishery Management Council. He was a 70-year member of the volunteer Fairfield Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 and served as its Chief. He was involved in local veteran’s activities and organizations and was Master of Ceremonies for the Fairfield Memorial Day Parade for more than 20 years.
In 1992 Pat was appointed as the Southport Harbormaster by Governor Lowell Weicker and re-appointed by Governor Jodi Rell who said, “Pat has spent his life looking for ways to give back to Fairfield and the State of Connecticut and I thank him for it.” He retired as Harbormaster in 2014 after 22 years, but continued to provide “invaluable assistance” to the Harbor Management Commission and to his Harbormaster successors. Pat said he considered the Southport Harbor his second home and he seldom missed a day there, frequently stopping to visit after dropping his great-grandchildren off at high school and picking up his Dunkin Donuts coffee.
But more than anything, Pat embodied the best qualities: unconditional love for family and friends, kindness, respect for others, optimism, integrity, and an unending generosity that could be seen in everything he did. He was a lifelong learner, a voracious reader, and a mentor and teacher to many. He was an accomplished and avid, fisherman and hunter, and was the outdoor columnist for the Fairfield Citizen for 18 years.
Most importantly, he was a devoted family man, dedicated to his cherished wife, Millicent, his children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. He lived to see them happy and called or sent daily texts to check in on them or send them a hug. He relished the time he spent with them, whether it be fishing, hunting, doing a crossword puzzle, enjoying Sunday morning breakfasts and weekly diner nights, or listening to their latest escapades while cheering on their accomplishments.
He touched the lives of so many people and his passing is deeply felt by his entire family, many loyal friends and countless others who loved him dearly in his extensive network, whether near or far.
He is survived and will be greatly missed by his three children, daughter, Marilyn P. Carroll and husband, Gilbert Mott, of Ridgefield; his son Patrick L. Carroll III and wife, Denise, of Seymour; his son Gregory N. Carroll and wife, Laurie, of Fairfield; his granddaughter, Jennifer P. McLaughlin and husband, Brian; his grandsons John J. Petrafesa, Jr.; Ryan Carroll and wife, Courtney; James Carroll and wife, Megan ; Patrick Mott and wife, Meghan; and great-grandchildren Aidan and Molly McLaughlin; Kate, Jack, and Rocco Petrafesa; Owen, Henry, Hazel, and Russell Carroll and Malcolm Mott. He is also survived by his faithful sister, Maryann Pearson, and 11 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Patrick and Mary Carroll; his brother, George Carroll, as well as his beloved daughter and son-in-law, Millicent M. and John J. Petrafesa, Sr., who welcomed him with open arms in heaven.
Calling hours will be at the Spear Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield on March 10, from 3 – 8 p.m. Friends and family are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on March 11 at 10:00 a.m. meeting directly in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1719 Post Road, Fairfield. Interment will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the USO (www.uso.org), Wakeman Boys and Girls Club (www. wakemanclub.org), or the Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Fairfield (www. ctaudubon.org).