MATTAWAMKEAG and VERNON, Conn. – George Richard Otto Weller passed away peacefully April 21, 2006, at his home while surrounded by his loving family. He was born Jan. 23, 1923, in Holyoke, Mass. He was the son of George and Bessie (Richter) Weller. George lived most of his life in Connecticut and was employed for more than 40 years by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, Conn. He was a World War II Veteran, having served as a halftrack driver/gunner with the 8th Armored Division in the Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe Campaigns, during which he earned the Good Conduct medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign ribbon, American Theater Campaign ribbon and the Victory medal. He was a member of the local VFW. George enjoyed his immense record collection of early Big Band music and shared it with all of his friends, family and particularly his youngest son who shared his love for this era of music. He took great pleasure in reminiscing of his years in the service, sharing his experiences and describing in detail the events surrounding each item in his extensive memorabilia collection as he had acquired during the war. He would talk at great lengths of his pals and friends that he made while in the service, of which many remained life long contacts. He could always be found either in his rec room shooting pool, at his desk with his stamp collection or in his garden, nurturing his parsnips and tomatoes. He was a great fan of Laurel and Hardy comedy and displayed this style of humor when he would be joking around. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sylvia Mae (Fogg) Weller; his two sons, Richard Galen Weller of Stafford Springs, Conn. and Roger George Weller of Winn; as well as five grandchildren, Rachel Weller and Roger Weller II of Winn, Tory D’Angelos, Michael D’Angelos and Alexander Weller of Stafford Springs, Conn.; his two daughters-in-law, Laurie Weller of Winn, and Michelle Weller of Stafford Springs, Conn. He will be sadly missed by his close army pal, John Finn of St. Louis, Mo. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, April 29, at the Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Rd., Lincoln, with the Rev. Darrell Joiner officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at Potter Brook Cemetery, Winn. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate in his memory to a veterans organization of one’s choice. For an online register book, please visit www.clayfuneralhome.com
GEORGE RICHARD OTTO WELLER
