Arthur Lester Darrow, 86, of Groton, died Sunday at his home with family by his side.
Mr. Darrow was born in New London on August 17, 1919, the second to the oldest of nine sons of Annie “Bloomfield” Darrow and Earl J. Darrow.
He was married to Mildred E. Shafer on January 21, 1942. Mrs. Darrow died August 8, 2002.
Prior to his marriage, he was a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1937-1941. During this time he was a Pistol Sharpshooter, B.A.R Expert, Marksman, and Senior Red Cross Lifeguard Swimmer. He served in Cuba from 1940-1941.
After being home for a short time Mr. Darrow re-enlisted in the Marine Corp from 1942-1945 where he was a Master Sergeant. He was honorably discharged and then employed by the Department of Aeronautics, in Hartford, Connecticut, where he was a Special Policeman until 1950. He was also enlisted in the Army National Guard where he served 2 years and 8 months as a AAA Chief.
Mr. Darrow was employed by Pfizer, Inc. in 1953 where he worked as a Chemical Operator in Citric Acid and later retired in 1981.
Mr. Darrow enjoyed hunting, deep sea fishing, gardening, as well as target shooting at the Groton Sportsman’s Club where he was a lifetime member. He will also be remembered as a generous provider for his family, and a loving grandfather and great-grandfather that enjoyed spending time with all of his family.
Mr. Darrow leaves his brother, Leroy Darrow; his brother and sister-in-law Roger and Carolyn Darrow; a daughter, Patricia Darrow Arnold of Ledyard; a son and daughter-in-law Arthur and Roseanne Darrow, Jr. of Groton; a daughter and son-in-law Sandra and Larry Wynn of Rock Creek, Ohio; grandsons and granddaughters-in-law, Walter and Lisa Arnold Jr., and David and Sandy Arnold; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Melissa and Robert Irvine; four granddaughters, Robin Arnold, Jennifer and Kimberly Wynn, and Kelly Darrow; and his great- grandchildren, Justin, Jessica, Jaclyn Arnold, Renée Ceil Arnold, Mallery Arnold, Jillian and Julia Irvine.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mildred (Shafer) Darrow; grandsons, Kevin Arnold and Jason and Nathan Darrow.
His family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Friday from 6-8pm. A Funeral Service will be conducted at The Old Mystic Baptist Church, Shewville Road, on Saturday at 1pm. Pastor Stan White of the Preston City Congregational Church will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in Lambtown Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made to Hospice of Southeastern Connecticut, P.O. Box 902, Uncasville, CT 06382.
To send his family a note of remembrance/condolence, please click the link below.