Obituary of Lynn W. Willsey

Lynn Willcox Willsey passed away on March 14, 2022 at age 88.  Lynn was born on May 15, 1933 in Hartford, CT and was the son of Warren and Charlotte Willcox Willsey.  He graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1950 and from Bates College in 1954, where he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.  He spent two years in the US Army starting in 1954.

Lynn’s entire 39 year business career was spent at the Travelers in Hartford.  While there, he earned membership in the Casualty Actuarial Society and the American Academy of Actuaries.  After serving in a variety of assignments, his final position was as Senior Vice President and Actuary where he enjoyed the opportunity to be a mentor for many young actuaries.

Lynn led an active lifestyle with a particular emphasis on family, sports and volunteer activities.  In 1956, he married his college sweetheart Beverly Hayne with whom he enjoyed 66 wonderful years.  He was immensely proud of their four sons and their respective families:  Robert and former wife Janene plus sons Ryan and Billy; David and Lisa plus sons Jeffrey, Daniel and Mitchell; Steven and Leah plus daughter Camila; and James and Cyndi Ballas plus sons Cooper, Camden and Teagan.  Lynn is also survived by his nieces and nephews:  Jeanne Conrad, Thomas Willsey, Jodie Heimgartner, John Willsey, Richard Potter and Steve Potter.  Lynn was predeceased by his parents and beloved sister, Elizabeth “Bette” Potter; brother, Warren “Bill” Willsey and nephew, John Potter.

Lynn participated in sports in high school and played basketball and golf in college.  He was especially proud of winning the Maine State Intercollegiate Golf Championship in 1954.  Lynn focused on golf and tennis during his working and retirement years.  Lynn had a deep connection with Bates College which had done so much for him and his family.  He was a Trustee Emeritus of the College, after having served for 19 years as a Board member and two as Secretary of the College.  In 2006, along with Beverly, he received the Papaioanou Distinguished Alumni Service Award and in 2015, was inducted into the Bates Scholar-Athlete Society.

Lynn contributed his time, passion and leadership to many volunteer activities and organizations.  These include The East Hartford Jaycees, Connecticut Community Care, Inc. (Chair), Jefferson House and Hartford Hospital, FISH of Glastonbury (Co-President), and the Board of Glastonbury Hills Country Club where he was a charter member.  He was very active at the Congregational Church in South Glastonbury where he sang in the choir and chaired a number of Boards and Committees over many years.

Starting in 1993, Beverly and Lynn enjoyed many happy times with family and friends at their hilltop farm in Starksboro, VT where he enjoyed making maple syrup.  A special joy in his retirement years was the Willsey Stonepost Farm Christmas tree operation in Glastonbury, yet another occasion to be with family and friends.  In recent years, Lynn also cherished the family reunions at Basin Harbor on Lake Champlain in Vermont where his grandchildren reveled in summer activities together.

A celebration of Lynn’s life will be held on March 26 at 2:00pm at Congregational Church in South Glastonbury at 949 Main Street.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Willsey Family Scholarship Fund at Bates College, 2 Andrews Road, Lewiston, ME 04240 or the church’s memorial fund:  Memorial Fund at CCSG, PO Box 187, South Glastonbury, CT 06073.  Burial will be private.  There will be no calling hours.  For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.

 The service will be available on Zoom.  For the Zoom link, please email Rob Willsey at rwillz@cox.net.