Roderick C. Huggan, 87, of Ledyard, died Tuesday, August 8. He was born in Newark, NJ the son of the late Roderick and Emilie Huggan.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Olive M. Huggan, a son Roderick H. Huggan and his wife Patricia Huggan of Canterbury, a daughter, Lynn M. (Huggan) Tessier and her husband Frank Tessier of Mystic, a son, Robert D. Huggan of East Hampton, and by three grandchildren and one great grandchild.
He was predeceased by a son Andrew C. Huggan and his sister Katherine (Huggan) Rathbone.
Mr. Huggan was a graduate of Fitch High School. He enrolled in the Navy in 1939, and was aboard the USS Conyngham DD371 during the raid on Pearl Harbor. He served on the "Conny Maru" throughout the war and participated in many of the major battles of the Pacific of World War 2 including Midway, Guadalcanal, and Leyte Gulf operations. He retired from the Navy in 1959 as a Warrant Officer-2. He then worked for Newport News Shipyard, Electric Boat, Bechtel, and finished his career with Northeast Utilities as a Quality Assurance Engineer in 1981.
Mr. Huggan was an avid woodworker, who loved to fish, read, work in his gardens, and travel. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, The Retired Officer's Association, the Hugo Simonelli VFW Post, the American Legion, the Sierra Club, and was a Free Mason. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor. He was father, friend, and sage to his children. He was an old school gentleman that will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
The family would like to extend our deepest appreciation for the loving care he received by Connecticut Hospice in Branford and South Eastern Connecticut Hospice. A special note of appreciation goes to the loving care given to him and his family by the wonderful people at Mystic Manor.
Roderick's family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Sunday from 5-7pm. Burial with military honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the hospice of choice or The American Cancer Society, 238 W. Town St., Norwich CT 06360.
To send a note of remembrance/condolence to his family, please click the link below.