Richard Tilden Lathrop passed away peacefully at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family on Aug. 20, 2013.
"Dick" was born on April 15, 1926, the son of Clifford and Elizabeth Lathrop of Norwich. He was united in marriage in 1951, to Ethel Francis Barrie.He leaves behind his brother, Clifford Lathrop of Sun City, Ariz.; his son, Alan Lathrop of Lake Winnipesaukee, N.H.; his daughter, Susan Burns and her husband, Rob, of Mystic; his grandson, Daniel Lathrop and his wife, Aly, and their daughter, Cara of Westminster, Mass.; his granddaughter, Heather Greenman and her husband, Jeff, of Newport Coast, Calif.; and his grandson, Thomas Burns and his wife, Sara, of Boston.
He was predeceased by his sisters, Phyllis Smith and Carol Lathrop, and also his loving wife, Ethel "Chibbie", who passed away five days earlier. Dick spent most of his working career at Electric Boat (EB) where he designed ventilation systems for submarines. He was an accomplished wood worker, who built various pieces of furniture and beautiful bedrooms for his son and daughter in their home in Norwich.
After retiring from EB, he and his wife opened TLC Custom Framing shop in Taftville which they operated for 10 years. His woodworking skills and his wife's artistic talents meshed, leading to unique and high quality results for their many customers.
The family wants to give a very special thanks to all those at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital ICU whose care and compassion was outstanding. We would also like the opportunity to again thank the staff of Avalon Health Center and Beacon Hospice Center for the care they provided Chibbie.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association , 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 or www.alz.org.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl St., Mystic, to honor both Dick and Chibbie's lives. A memorial service will be held at the Ledyard Congregational Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, to celebrate their lives and their long and wonderful marriage of 62 years. A private burial will be performed later in the day at Maplewood Cemetery in Norwich.
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