Benjamin Bourn Jr.

Old Lyme — Benjamin A. “Bunny” Bourn, 98, of Old Lyme, died Oct. 10, 2023. Ben was born March 11, 1925, in Hartford, son of Benjamin and Eleonore Bourn.

He attended local schools and after high school enlisted in the U.S. Army during World

War II. He stormed Utah Beach on D-Day and fought in the Third Army through all five American Campaigns in France, Luxembourg, and Germany. His company liberated Buchenwald concentration camp in April 1945. He spoke fluent French and served as an interpreter during his service overseas.

After leaving the Army in 1946, he attended Wesleyan University, Class of 1950, AXP. That year he married Jane O’Donnell from Naugatuck. They lived in Wethersfield until 1965, when they moved to Hawk’s Nest Beach in

Old Lyme. Ben retired from Chesebrough-Ponds in 1986. He volunteered for many years with Meals-On-Wheels, the Florence Griswold Museum and the Old Lyme PGN Library. He enjoyed long membership in the SAR, the American Legion, the Barbershop Harmony Society, SPEBSQSA, singing in several great quartets. He was a true gentleman.

Ben leaves his wife of 73 years Jane; three children, Jeffrey (Lynda) Bourn of Aspen, Colo., Susan Schlachter of Old Lyme, and Sarah Bourn of West Dover, Vt.; four grandchildren: Jeremy (Rachel) Bourn, Louisiana, Sara (Colin) Fogarty, New Jersey, Rachel Schlachter of Connecticut and Amanda (Cole) Rizki, of Virginia; and five great-grandchildren.

There will be a graveside service at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford at the convenience of the family. To sign the online guest book, visit www. fultontherouxoldlyme.com.