Hoover Curtis Willis (95) passed away on Jan 2, 2024 in the home he built over 70 years ago with the help of his wife Dolly on land purchased from the Willis family farm in Mystic where he was born on October 13, 1928 and raised.
He leaves behind his wife of 73 years, Dolly (Dolores) Willis and 4 children: Curtis & (Wendy Harris) Willis of Monson, MA, Teresa & (Robert) Baruffa of Custer, SD, Nicholas Willis & (Wendy Fox) of Plainfield, CT and Jennifer & (John) Papitto of Westerly, RI. 6 Grandchildren: Dellaney, Amy, Andrew, Jessica, Joseph, and Nicholas Willis and 5 Great Grandchildren. He was the youngest of 9 children of Carlton H and Mary J (Chesebro) Willis of Mystic, CT. He is preceded by one grandson, Jeffrey C. Willis, his 5 brothers and spouses: Charles & (Christine) Willis, Herbert & (Winnie) Willis, Hoyt & (Joan) Willis, Hershall & (Liz) Willis, Carl & (Vivian) Willis and his 3 sisters and spouses: Lucille & (Floyd) Watson, Iola & (George) Main and Mary & (Ernie) Balestracci.
He was a Navy veteran of WWII and served from 1945 to 1949 mostly in the Pacific on the following ships: USS RENATE AKA-36, USS MAURY DD-40, USS BOLSTER ARS-38, and USS FORT MANDAN LSD-21. He received the World War II Victory Medal. He met and married the love of his life, Dolly, when stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Chicago at the end of his tour. They headed back east eventually landing back home at the Willis Farm in Mystic. Upon leaving the Navy he entered into Civilian Service at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, CT where he worked as a torpedo mechanic for much of his career and then as shop supervisor until his retirement in 1983. He loved being that Connecticut boy from the farm and after retiring from the Sub Base he continued to run a successful haying business for many years from his Briar Haven Farm. Over the years he raised horses, cows, rabbits and sheep but he had a soft spot for chickens. He hybridized German Iris, had a small orchard and planted a vegetable garden every year. Something was always in bloom at his house.
He loved RV camping with Dolly and took many trips over the years. A skilled carpenter, he enjoyed woodworking in his shop and was always making something. He was that guy that could fix just about anything, mostly he would say because he had to.
He played guitar and had a great voice. He loved to fish, was a skilled trapper and an excellent marksman with a rifle or shotgun. He did not like starlings or anything that messed with his chickens or garden.
He was a loving man, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather that would do anything he could for his family. He was our rock and he will be missed but we have wonderful memories of our lives with him that will see us through. We love and miss you Pa.
Calling hours will be Tuesday, January 9, from 6 to 8pm at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, January 10 at 10:00am at the funeral home. Burial with full military honors will follow in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic.