COLCHESTER —The family of Peter J. Moeckel wishes to report that Mr. Moeckel passed away of natural causes on Dec. 15, 2012, in Colchester. His wife, Carolyn J. Moeckel, passed away on Dec. 1, 2012 after a brief illness. The Moeckels resided in Colchester in recent years, and were longtime residents of eastern Connecticut.
Peter grew up in Naugatuck and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard at the beginning of World War II, having fought in all four theaters of that war. After the war, he was a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves and the Civil Air Patrol in Windham. He received his bachelor’s degree at the University of Connecticut, and then worked in industrial management at Pratt and Whitney in East Hartford and Wethersfield. He finished his career as a professor of psychology and industrial management at Thames Valley Technical College in Norwich. Peter went on to volunteer with the Town of Columbia’s Fire Department, and was a fire control officer for the town. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and trap shooting. He was an avid musician and played many instruments, but excelled on guitar. Peter played in many bands during his lifetime, taught guitar for a number of years and enjoyed performing for others. He was an NRA pistol instructor, as well as a hunter safety instructor for the state of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.
The Moeckels are survived by a son, Jeffrey K. Moeckel and his wife, Judith; a daughter, Janet Szegda; three granddaughters, Kristiana Coutu and her husband Chris Coutu, of Kalamazoo, Mich.; Mary Szegda, of Washington, D.C.; and Julie Szegda and her husband Ofri Brenner, of Washington, D.C.; and two great-granddaughters, Amelie and Evangeline Noelle Coutu, of Kalamazoo, Mich.; a sister, Jane Saunders, and her husband Alden Saunders, of Naugatuck, and a brother, Kenneth Moeckel, and his wife, Barbara, of Norfolk.
A memorial service for Peter and Carolyn Moeckel will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at 10 a.m. at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 210 Church St., Naugatuck. Burial will follow at Grove Cemetery, 13 Cross St., Naugatuck. Following the interment, all are welcome to return to the church parish hall for a luncheon.
The Alderson Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow St. is assisting the family with the local arrangements.
For further information to send an email condolence, or to light a memorial candle, visit www.aldersonfuneralhomes.com.
