MYSTIC: Gilbert J. Sheffield Sr., of Mystic died Tuesday at Mariner Healthcare at Pendleton in Mystic.
Born March 17, 1928 in Newport, Rhode Island; Gilbert was the son of James Hazzard Sheffield Jr. and Anna Suggs Sheffield. He graduated from Rogers High School, 1949. During high school, he starred on the football team as a halfback and was a member of the Jr. ROTC. He entered the army in 1950 and was stationed in Korea during the Korean War where he distinguished himself for acts of bravery as a military police officer. During his military career, he rose to the rank of sergeant.
He received an honorable discharge and moved to New London where he met Dorothy Burtiss of New London, Ct. They married in 1954 and were blessed with three children.
Mr. Sheffield was retired from New London Mills, a facility that manufactured and shipped linoleum around the world. He had a number of hobbies that included fly-fishing, photography and repairing machinery. He also loved gardening. Even though he was disabled, he coached Mystic Pee Wee football, Mystic Little League, and Groton Recreation Basketball. He was a devoted member of St. James Episcopal Church in New London until he moved to Mystic where he became a member of St. Marks Episcopal Church.
As a forty-nine year member of the American Legion, Mr. Sheffield held many positions. He was the Commander for 2 years at the John Coleman Prince Post #9 of New London. He was the Department of Connecticut Vice Commander from the 5th district for 2 years; the Department’s Area Vice Commander and currently a member of the Robert O. Fletcher Post #4 in Norwich. He was a lifetime member and a Past President of the Connecticut Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans and a member of the Hugo Simonelli VFW Post in Stonington.
He was known as an energetic and true friend to those who knew him and a devoted husband, father and community member.
Besides his parents, his wife Dorothy; his sister Helen Collier; and his brother Donald Butler predecease him. His three children, Gilbert Jr. and Karen Sheffield of Mystic and Stephen Sheffield of Groton, survive him. He is also survived by two sisters Barbara Groce of Ledyard, and Binti Brown of Waterford, a niece, Stephanie Collier of Waterford, a nephew, Charles Groce Jr. of Hartford, an aunt, Norma Albright and a cousin James Albright of New London and cousin Arthur Sheffield & family of Mystic.
The family will greet relatives and friends on Monday from 6 to 9pm at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, historic downtown Mystic. A Funeral Eucharist will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:00am at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 15 Pearl Street, Mystic. Burial with military honors will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Veteran’s Affairs and Rehabilitation Fund (VANR) c/o the American Legion Department of Connecticut, PO Box 208,, Rocky Hill, CT. 06067-0208. The fund is used to support our Veteran’s in the VA Hospitals in Connecticut..