Obituary of Lochlin Gates Syme

Lochlin Gates Syme passed away on September 16th at home in the presence of his loving family. Loch was born in New York City on July 24, 1933 the first of two sons of John Prescott Syme and Helen English Syme. With concerns for the family’s safety when WW11 seemed imminent, Loch‘s father moved the family to a house on the CT River in Old Saybrook in 1942. Loch and his brother Duncan spent their childhood on the river where their playground was the river, beaches and creeks. Ever since he was four years old, Loch has had an intimate relationship with waterways. At an early age, he was racing small sailboats called Rhodes 18’s. Later he participated in several Off Soundings races and frequently placed first, second, or third. His truly shining moment was when he became the international champion in his class at the Nonsuch Rendezvous in Newport in 2008. He enjoyed working on his boats and cruising to various ports in New York, Rhode Island, and CT. Loch attended Loomis-Chaffee High School and Union College. As a soldier in the army, he served in post WW11 Germany from 1953-1956. Professionally, Loch was a sales representative-- first for Sea-Trac boating shoes and then with Vermont Castings. Much of his success can be attributed to his ability to listen and take an interest in his customers. He met his wife Jane when he moved to Chester in 1980 where she already lived. They were married at the Fishtown Chapel at the Mystic Seaport in 1986 and have had a happy and fulfilling marriage. Owning a cabin at Crescent Lake in New Hampshire was a wonderful adventure. Loch used his engineering skills and well developed carpentry skills to renovate the cabin and restore older homes and boats. He also delighted in learning more about trains, creating elaborate set-ups for his model train set, and reading about maritime history. Loch is survived by his wife Jane, his brother Duncan Coburn Syme and his sister-in-law Dee, his daughter Laura Syme and her partner Ron Slack, and his son Jonathan Syme and his wife Debbie. He also leaves his step-daughter Lisa Senay and her husband Eric Pedersen and his step- son Andre Senay and his wife Kristin. He leaves six grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter. A private graveside service will be held on September 19th at Riverview Cemetery in Essex, CT. The family plans a celebration of Loch’s life in the spring. Memorial contributions can be made in Loch’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, FL 17, Chicago, IL or the First Congregational Church of Deep River, P.O. Box 246, Deep River, CT 06417. To share a memory of Loch or send a condolence to his family please visit www.rwwfh.com . Arrangements were in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.