** Service time updated below **
Eben Duerr, who recently celebrated his 85th birthday, passed away Tuesday, March 18th at Mystic Manor.
Mr. Duerr was born in Mystic on March 14, 1923 one of seven children to Eben and Lillian Payne Duerr.
He served as a diesel mechanic in the U.S. Navy during World War II building and serving aboard LSD’s (Landing Ship Tanks). He served in the Pacific Theatre at the conclusion of the war preparing for the invasion of Japan until his honorable discharge.
He then returned to Connecticut to raise his family and begin his career in the maintenance department at Pfizer’s Groton facility. He retired as a mechanical supervisor in 1982 after 32 years of dedicated service. During his retirement, he wintered in Venice, FL.
He was a former member of the First United Methodist Church. He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, and his enjoyment of golf, bowling, riding his tractor, and carpentry, proclaiming himself a “Jack-of-all-trades, master of none”.
His first wife with whom he raised four children, Christine Duerr died in 1981. He was later married to Virginia Klingman Duerr for 18 years before her death in 2003.
Mr. Duerr is survived by his children, Eben “Skip” Duerr Jr. of Middletown, CT, Judith Williams of Vanceboro, NC, Carole Burdick of Ledyard, and Dennis Duerr of Lakeland, FL., 7 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his siblings, Carlisle “Nick”, Leon & Douglas Duerr, Virginia Patti, Lillian McCann, and Lois Roderick.
His family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Thursday from 5-7pm. A Service will be conducted at the funeral home on Friday at 10am with the Rev. Tim Gingerella, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, Inc., Office of Development, 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue, Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136-1494 (updated address) or the American Cancer Society, 106 Franklin Commons, Rte. 32, Franklin CT 06254.
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