John E. Umrysz of 94 Yetter Road, Mystic passed at home on Thursday August 13th.
He was born at home in East Lyme on 1921 to the late William and Philomena Umrysz.
Soon after, they moved to their new home on a dairy farm on route 117 in Center Groton.
John attended a small grade school in Center Groton and graduated from Fitch High
school in 1939. He worked on the farm and help run a gas station in New London. Then on Dec. 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor was bombed, the beginning of WWII. The very next day he enlisted in the service at the age of 20 along with his two good friends. He served in the Navy on several Destroyers as a Torpedoman.
He was married to Irene Whittle in Feb. 1948. He was called back into active duty in the Navy during the Korean War from 19501952. He went on to work construction and on to the City of Groton Highway Dept. retiring as the Superintendent in 1985.
John and Irene owned and operated Yetter Road Christmas Tree Farm planting the first
trees in 1962.
John was predeceased by his wife Irene. He is survived by son Curt Umrysz and his wife
Honora, of Mystic. Son Gary Umrysz of Alsea, Oregon. Son Leon Umrysz of Groton and Son
Timothy Umrysz and his wife Cathy of Ledyard. Son Jeffrey Umrysz and his wife Michelle of Mystic. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Sarah, Greg, John, Jaclyn, Thomas, McKenzie, and Morgan.
He was predeceased by his daughter-in-law Dina Hespeler Umrysz. John is also survived
by his older sister Helen Nasiatka of Mystic. Two brothers Peter and Emil predeceased him.
He loved baseball, always saying his father would not let him play ball because it
interfered with his farm chores. He was a coach and manager for his five sons through many years of baseball.
His interests in the early years were his bowling league. Coast Guard wrestling,
swimming, working, camping, boating, baseball, working, skating, snowmobiling, working, hunting, fishing, ATV’s, trips to the Vermont property, and road trips out West.
A private service will be held at a later date.
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