This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
05/15/2012 01:00 PMArthur John Humby, 92, of North Branford, loving husband and beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather, died on May 13 at his daughter’s home in Syracuse, New York. He was the husband of the late Bette O’Connell Humby. Art was born in Brooklyn, New York, on Aug. 8, 1919, son of the late Arthur C. and Julia Hynes Humby. A graduate of St. Augustine High School in Brooklyn, New York, he earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Notre Dame University, graduating with honors in 1941.
Immediately following graduation, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps for pilot training, and on Jan. 9, 1942, received his Silver Wings and commission as a second lieutenant. He spent the next five years on active duty as an Air Force pilot.
When World War II ended, he remained in the active Reserve for 20 years, retiring as lieutenant colonel in 1967. He was the recipient of seven medals honoring his service.
On July 10, 1945, Art married First Lieutenant Bette O’Connell – the love of his life – at The Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. The marriage lasted for 60 wonderful years until Bette’s death in 2006.
Art became a realtor in Stamford and for many years operated Humby-O’Connell Realty there. He and Bette retired to Old Lyme in 1971, moving to North Branford about 10 years ago.
Art was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus and a life-member of Lyme’s VFW Post 1467.
He is survived by five children, Patricia Nolan and her husband Tim of Key West, Florida, Betsy McCabe of Syracuse, New York, Jeannie Kluytenaar and her husband William of New Haven, Arthur “Rusty” Humby and his wife Karen of Fairfield, and Joseph Humby and his wife Mary of North Branford; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one nephew; three nieces; and a sister-in-law, Reata Overman of Glastonbury. He was predeceased by his sister, Kathleen Humby Duddy.
His funeral procession will leave the Keenan Funeral Home, 330 Notch Hill Rd., North Branford, on Friday, May 18, at 9:30 a.m. for a mass of Christian burial, which will be celebrated at St. Augustine Church at 10 a.m. Burial with military honors will take place in Duck River Cemetery, Old Lyme. Family and friends may call at the funeral home prior to the funeral mass, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Gifts in his memory should be directed to St. Augustine Church, 30 Caputo Rd., North Branford, CT 06471. Condolences may be offered online at www.keenanfuneralhome.com.