Thomas Herbert Bothwell
On May 3, 2021 Thomas Herbert Bothwell ended a life well lived. He was born on September 21,1935 in Cavan, Ireland to Robert and Maud Bothwell. With his twin sister Ruth (Bothwell) Reidel a clan of 9 boys and 2 girls. “The Bothwells” moved to Fivemiletown, N. Ireland and were dairy farmers. In 1956 Herbie accompanied his older sister Iris (Bothwell) Brown to America. Settling in Darien, Herbie purchased a lawn mower, a pick-up truck and started a landscaping company. He met Kyra Bennett also from Ireland and they married and had 4 children. They both became a non-stoppable work force. He sold his landscaping company and opened “Herbies Bike Shop” in Noroton. Herbie had much energy and a love for the outdoors. He started an excavation company, Bothwell and Sons. At the same time Kyra was building spec houses, so they teamed up. Herbie obtained a blasting license. That shift was brilliant as, CT is all rock! His company was employed by Wagner and Shoreline Pools. He and Kyra proceeded to renovate and build 27 homes in Darien along with his own two beautiful homes.
He loved America and all the opportunities it offered and he helped huge amounts of young people from Ireland migrate to America. He loved the Lions Club of Darien and volunteered many hours. He could fix anything and grow anything. He could identify any tree or shrub species and loved to visit the family and the farm in Ireland. He was a great father, husband, grandfather, and uncle.
He is survived by his wife,
Kyra Bothwell, 62 years married, daughter, Carol Bildahl, and her husband, James Bildahl, daughters, Hannah Bildahl Stanco, and Madison Bildahl; son, Richard Bothwell, and daughter Hilary Bothwell; predeceased by a son, Edwin Bothwell.
He is survived by family in Ireland, Cecil, Edwin and Wilfred Bothwell, and family in America, Ernest, Gerald Bothwell and Ruth Reidel.
A walk through visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road in Darien. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 10:45 a.m. at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Darien Lions Club of Darien. P.O, Box 144 Darien, CT 06820. For travel directions or to sign Herbie’s online guest register book, please visit www.LawrenceFuneralHome.com