George and Margaret Fearn
George A Fearn Jr. peacefully passed away on January 19, 2018 at Academy Point in Mystic. His beloved wife Margaret C Fearn “Peggy” followed his path to her eternal rest on August 23, 2018. Both were 91 years old.
Peggy was born in Chester, PA to Joseph L and Mary P Cochran. She attended Haddonfield Memorial High School in New Jersey where she met her future husband and attended Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA. They married on October4,1947 at the Haddonfield First Presbyterian Church.
George was born in Akron, OH to George A and Edith W Fearn. His family moved to southern New Jersey when he was 10 and he graduated from Haddonfield Memorial High School in 1943. He won a US Navy Scholarship to Cornell University, as part of the Navy V-12 College training program for its officer corps and studied mechanical engineering. While at Cornell was part of the 8-man varsity crew team. On graduation in 1946, George was commissioned an Ensign in the Naval Reserve and was assigned to duty on the USS Reuben James. He then worked at the US Naval Boiler & Turbine Laboratory, in Philadelphia. Pa where he specialized in steam boiler propulsion systems for the SS United States being built by Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock. His work in 1956 on testing a steam propulsion power plant for submarine application led to employment with The Electric Boat Div. of General Dynamics in Groton. George and Peggy left family and friends as they relocated to Waterford, CT. In 1959 they settled permanently in Mystic, CT.
Throughout his 37-year career, George worked on propulsion design or overhauls for a multitude of submarine projects including USS Skipjack, USS Thresher, USS Skate, USS Triton, and USS Narwahl. He was mechanical systems design chief for an underwater sonar experimental array which was responsible for identifying the location of the USS Scorpion off the coast of Africa. Most notable he was in charge of the power plant fluid systems design for the nuclear-powered research vessel, NR-1 which is now housed at the Submarine Force Museum in Groton. Later in his career, George was involved with the bidding and material procurement for Ohio, Los Angeles and Seawolf class submarines. Upon retirement, George indulged his passions for woodworking both at Mystic Seaport, Denison-Pequotsepos Nature Center and in his workshop. The family is so grateful to his skill in fine carpentry and needlework as many of his beautiful creations now grace our homes.
Peggy decided early in her marriage to devote herself to raising her family and did it very well. She supported the various activities in which the children participated. These included Cub Scouts, Brownies, Girl Scouts, Little League, Fife & Drum Corps, Sunday school and others. She was an active member of the Mystic Garden Club even though she always called herself a "dirty-dirt" gardener. Peg was a member of the Mystic Historical Society, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, The Antiquarian and Landmarks
society of Connecticut, the Denison-Pequotsepos Nature Center, and the
Shenecossett Beach Club. She held offices in several of the groups. Peggy was excellent cook, an accomplished gardener, a voracious reader, and a bargain finder par excellence. She took great pride in keeping her homes beautiful.
Both George and Peggy discovered a love of genealogy and travel. George compiled an extensive family tree for his and her families, going well back into the 17th century. They were blessed to have grandchildren living in England and traveled all over the country seeing gardens, churches, pubs and museums. As the grandchildren grew older they would bring Justin, Felicity and Jessica over during the summer vacations to spend weeks at Shenecosset Beach, Cape Cod and to visit their US cousins.
Peggy and George leave behind three children, Mary F Elomaa of Groton, CT, George A Fearn III and wife Jane of Portsmouth, VA, Susan F Garde and husband Albert James of Jupiter, FL. They also leave 7 beloved grandchildren, Christopher D Elomaa, Richard J Elomaa, Justin Fearn, Felicity Fearn, Jessica Fearn, Michael J Garde and Katherine G Weast. There are also 12 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
At Peggy and George’s request, memorials will be private and limited to family members. Their children want to thank the wonderful staff at Academy Point that saw to every need they had during the five years they lived there. Thanks also go to all their friends who have reached out with condolences and lovely notes. The family requests any donations be made to a charity of your choosing.
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