Obituary of Richard Dudley Jennings

Richard Dudley Jennings III March 05, 1935 - February 07, 2009 Richard Dudley Jennings, III age 73, devoted and beloved husband of Constance Louise (Howe) of Bethel, CT, peacefully passed away on Saturday February 7, 2009 at Danbury Hospital, following a massive stroke. He was surrounded by his loving family. Dick was born in Danbury on March 5, 1935, a son of the late Richard Dudley and Jane Higson Jennings, grandson of the late Irene Parks Rathmell and great Grandson of the late Charles Darling and Eleanor Parks. Dick graduated from Danbury High School class of 1954. He served in the Air Force and was based at Langley in Virginia. Upon his return to Danbury he worked for the family business- Tarrywile Farm. After working at Barden Corporation and Hoffman Fuel Company for several years, Dick, his brother Al and Harry Renz founded the Star Oil Company. In 1971 Dick along with Fred Bronson founded J & B Service Company where he worked as a plumbing and heating contractor until his retirement in 2003. At that time Dick's family took over the business. Over the years he had a large impact on the lives of others through his involvement in the community. He founded the Interfaith Youth basketball league for the young men in the community. Over the years he remained an active volunteer through his church. An avid UCONN basketball fan Dick also played in many basketball leagues throughout the years. Dick also remained very active gardening, traveling and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his large family. Dick is survived by the love of his life, Connie, with whom he celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary on April 6th, 2007. After a renewal of their wedding vows in front of friends and family, they enjoyed a celebratory reception at the Tarrywile mansion. Additionally, he is survived by two sons and five daughters, Richard Dudley Jennings IV and his wife, Kathleen of Bethel, and Douglas Stewart Jennings of Newtown, Catherine Jennings Parisi and her husband Peter of Bethel, Marjorie Jane Schaefer and her husband Neil of Danbury, Irene Ellen Jennings of Bethel, Constance Elizabeth Grace and her husband Tom of Danbury and Susan Jean Mills and her husband Fred of Danbury; and his 11 precious grandchildren, Daniel Jennings and Emily (Jennings) Donley, Peter, Betsy and Stacy Parisi, Irene and Tucker Schaefer, Heather and Jack Grace, Wyatt and Lily Mills. He is also survived by his two brothers, Alfred Higson Jennings and his wife Linda of Danbury and David Charles Jennings and his wife Dottie of Pennsylvania as well as countless loving Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Funeral Information Funeral Services will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, on Thursday, February 12th at 11:00am. Burial will follow in Wooster Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury, on Wednesday evening between 4:00 and 8:00pm. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, donations to Ability Beyond Disability, 4 Berkshire Drive, Bethel, CT 06801 would be appreciated.