NAUGATUCK — Richard A. Payne, 96, husband of Nancy (Mezzio) Payne, died peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Richard was born on Aug. 22, 1921 in Bridgeport, a son of the late Morris and Anne (Nardello) Payne, and had lived in Naugatuck all of his life. Richard retired from the Naugatuck Police Department with the rank of lieutenant after 38 years of service and was a member of the Police Association of Connecticut. He was a proud United States Marine Corps veteran having served in the South Pacific during World War II, and he was a life member of the B.P.O. Elks #967.
Richard is survived by his wife Nancy of over 70 years; his daughter, Frances Martin and her husband, Kerry Martin; his son, Joseph Payne and Cassie Michaels; his grandchildren, Richard Kilmer, Christine Howard, Steven Kilmer, Christopher Martin, Joseph Martin, Andrew Payne, John Payne and Thomas Payne; 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Richard was predeceased by his daughter, Ann Marie Kilmer; his brother, M. Joseph Payne; and his sister, Marie Durante.
The family would like to thank the staff of VITAS Healthcare for the excellent care that they provided.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Sept. 8, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 1006 New Haven Road, Naugatuck. Burial with Naugatuck Police Department and military honors will be in St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck. Calling hours are Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck. Members of the Naugatuck Veterans Council will assemble at the funeral home Thursday at 6:45 p.m. The Naugatuck Elks Ritual will be Thursday at 6:55 p.m. at the funeral home.
To leave an online condolence, visit www.buckmillerthurstonmengacci.com.
