Cummings, Verne G.

Verne G. Cummings, 100, of Enfield passed away on March 2, 2024 in the comfort of his home in Enfield surrounded by his loving family. Just 4 months ago, Verne had reached his goal of living to 100, and celebrated with 50 family and friends at a local restaurant. Verne was the beloved husband of 67 years of the late Marion (Bradley) Cummings. Verne was born on November 18, 1923 in Middletown, CT, eldest child of the late Joseph Brean Cummings and Mabel (Parkman) Cummings. After the Depression, Verne grew up in East Haddam, CT where he attended the Nathan Hale schoolhouse and used Devil's Hopyard as his backyard playground. There, as a youngster, he caught a big brown trout measuring 18” and weighing 2 lbs. that made the local newspaper. He was so proud of that catch that he carried the article in his wallet most of his adult life. One Thanksgiving, Verne met Marion at his cousin's house in Springfield, MA. He was so taken by Marion that he said to himself, “One day, I'm going to marry her!”

Verne and Marion were dating when Pearl Harbor was attacked; then in April 1943, Verne was inducted into the army in WWII. Verne trained with the 66th Division in Florida to be used as "replacements" for those that had been injured or died. Verne was brought overseas on the Italian luxury liner, Empress of Scotland. In Naples, Verne joined the 34th Infantry Div., 135th Infantry Regiment, Company I. The 34th Division was called the "Red Bull" Division. Their motto was "To the last man". He was a Pfc Rifleman, Pfc Mortar Crewman and a Sgt and Ass't Squad Leader. The battles and campaigns that he was in were Naples-foggia, Anzio, Rome-arno, North Appennine, and Po Valley. He was wounded in action February 3, 1944 on Mt. Cairo, behind the City of Cassino in Italy. Verne had been sent out as a scout to find the enemy and saw a man behind a bush starting to fire at him with a machine gun. He hit the ground but was shot in the back of his knee and also was hit below his eye with shrapnel. A medic bandaged him and said Verne needed to go to the hospital, and would get a stretcher. Verne said “Save the stretcher for someone that needs it more”, and walked back down the mountain, about 2 miles to the aide station. From there he was flown to an army hospital in Naples. General Mark Clark visited him in the hospital and from his hospital bed Verne could see Mount Vesuvius erupt; it hasn't fully erupted since. After being in the hospital, he rejoined his Division at Anzio Beach. Verne was also hospitalized during WWII for trench foot, malaria, and yellow jaundice. Before returning, he saw Mussolini hanging from the lamppost by his feet. Verne came back on the Italian ship Monticello into Newport News, VA and was honorably discharged in November 1945 after 2 ½ years serving his country. Verne received the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, European-african-middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, Expert Marksman badge, WWII Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Verne and Marion were married July 31, 1948 at Hope Congregational Church in Springfield, MA. After buying their property in Enfield, Verne took a book out of the library on “How to Build a House”. They cleared the land, dug 2 wells and together built their house themselves where they raised 3 children, and resided for 67 years before Marion passed in 2015.

Verne's many jobs included working for Pratt & Whitney, Wick Wire in Portland and Pratt & Reed in Ivoryton, CT. After WWII, Verne got on the job training program under the GI bill as an auto mechanic for Henry Warner in Springfield, Mass. Verne also worked for the Hotel Charles in Springfield, Mass. where he got his start as a boiler fireman. Verne obtained his 1st class Fireman license and in 1954, Verne started his career at Kaman Aircraft as a Boiler Fireman and retired in 1986 after 32 years with the company.

Verne had many hobbies. He enjoyed winter skiing, boating, fishing, and camping with his wife and children. In 1960, before travel trailers became popular, he bought one of the first Holiday Rambler travel trailers and in 1967 he took his family on a cross country trip visiting most of the National Parks. They towed the 19' travel trailer with a 1966 Chevy Station Wagon. It was a trip that his children will never forget. Verne especially loved to deer hunt with his son Gary and proudly harvested a ten-point 165 lb. buck. And later in his 80's, got 2 more deer using a crossbow with his left eye, since he had lost vision in his right eye by then. He was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and enjoyed watching the games every night and finally witnessed them win 4 World Series Titles. Verne also enjoyed seeing shows at the Enfield Senior Center, watching the Hartford Whalers, Boston Bruins and the UCONN Women's basketball.

After retirement Verne started repairing antique clocks, and restoring his 1931 Ford Model A Coupe and Roadster. He stripped the cars down to the bare frame and completely rebuilt them. He won many trophies for his restorations at the Antique Car Show in town every year. Verne could fix anything and never let anything go to waste. He would work hours and hours on a project and would never give up on an idea. He was very thorough, methodical, determined, particular, a perfectionist and very stubborn at times, which were some of his enduring traits. Verne was a longtime member of the Ford Model A Restorer's Club, the Western Mass. Model A Restorer's Club and a member of the Hazardville United Methodist Church.

Verne was very proud to be a United States Veteran and in retirement always wore his WWII Army cap, even around the house. Verne was a very loving, affectionate, caring and supportive husband and father. He was a hero to his children and will be deeply missed by his two daughters and son-in-laws, Judy and her husband John Smuda of Marlborough, Sandra and her husband Dean Therrien of Enfield, his son Gary Cummings of Enfield, CT and 3 step-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Albert Cummings and his wife, Nancy of East Haddam, and his sister-in-laws, Gale Cummings of East Haddam and Patricia Cummings of Clinton, and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and his wife, Marion, he was predeceased by his sister Christine and her husband, Wilfred Piette, his brothers, Hildreth (Art) and his wife Hollie, Edward, Thomas, and an infant brother, Joseph Brean Cummings, Jr and Gary's life partner, Lynn Hughes. The family would like to thank all the caregivers and therapists who enabled Verne to continue to live at home the last few years. Donations in Verne's memory may be sent to the East Haddam VFW Post 3336, c/o Forrest Anderson, 95 Boardman Road, East Haddam, CT 06423 or to the Hazardville United Methodist Church, 330 Hazard Ave, Enfield, CT 06082. Verne's family will receive relatives and friends at the Leete Stevens Funeral Home, 61 South Road, Enfield, CT on Saturday, March 9, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. immediately followed by a funeral service at Leete Stevens at 11 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in Hazardville Cemetery, Elm St., Enfield, CT. Verne will finally be reunited with Marion. Together again forever. For online condolences please visit leetestevens.com