Obituary of Arthur W. Lovell

Arthur W. Lovell, Jr., known to all as "Bud", died Sunday, January 20, 2013 at the age of 87. Born in Hartford in 1925, Bud spent his early years in Windsor, CT before moving to Essex in the 1930s, where his grandfather owned and ran the Griswold Inn. He attended grammar school in Essex before going to the Loomis School in Windsor. After graduating, Bud enlisted and served in the Air Force as a Lieutenant until the war ended in 1945, when he came back to Essex. Bud and his family owned and managed the Griswold Inn until the early 1970s and these were some of his happiest times. During his tenure, he and his father collected most of the marine prints, paintings, and other artwork seen on the walls today, as well as the antique firearms. The "Gris" became a well-known destination for people from all walks of life and Bud thoroughly enjoyed his role as "Host." He and his family also ran the Steamboat Dock as a restaurant ("The Upper Deck") and Marina in the 1960s. Bud was later to become one of the founding members of the Connecticut River Foundation at Steamboat Dock which preserved this historic structure and property as a museum. Bud loved Essex and was very involved in his community. For many years, he served on various committees at the First Congregational Church of Essex. He was on the Planning Commission for ten years as well as on the Cemetery Committee. A member of the Fraternal Order of Free and Accepted Masons, he was Past Master of the former Mount Olive Lodge in Deep River. Forever proud of having served in the armed services, he marched for many years in the Essex Memorial Day Parade wearing his original dress uniform and was elected Grand Marshall of the parade in 2010. After working in real estate in the 1970s and early 1980s, Bud went back to the Griswold Inn part time and was fortunate to be able to continue to work there until shortly before his death. During his semi-retirement he also enjoyed traveling with his wife Priscilla. Bud loved boats and being out on the Connecticut River, and this led to his hobbies of collecting marine prints and building detailed ship models. He loved American history, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, gardening, his 1931 Ford Model A Woody Station Wagon, airplanes, and anything having to do with animals and nature. He was one of a kind and will be sorely missed. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Priscilla, and his daughters, Cynthia Lovell of Charlestown, MA, Heather Klaudt of Thornton, NH, and Deborah Duys of Philadelphia, PA. He also leaves two granddaughters, Hayley Klaudt and Sarah Duys, his nephew, Henry Lovell of Alexandria, VA, and his niece, Sally Reed of Lexington, SC. He was preceded in death by his brother, Willard Lovell, and his sister, Arlene Enroth. A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church of Essex, 6 Methodist Hill in Essex, on Friday, March 1st at 3:00PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex, CT 06426. To share a memory of Bud or leave a condolence message for his family please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements by Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.