Earl R. Jenkins

Jenkins- Earl R. “Pete” Jenkins, 89 of Clinton died Tuesday Dec. 14, 2010. He was born in Guilford, son of the late James Charles and Clara J. (Cordts) Jenkins on April 7, 1921. He was predeceased by his wife, Esther Bradley Jenkins. He was a WWII Army Veteran who served in the Pacific. He retired as a 1st Sergeant, 2nd Company of the Governor’s Foot Guard, Connecticut Organized Militia after 45 years of service. Mr. Jenkins retired from the Olin Corporation where he was a maintenance supervisor for Olin Chemicals Research in New Haven, as well as a chemical research technician. Prior to that he was a ballistics research technician for Winchester Repeating Arms Co. He also worked for many years as a foreman at the William Pinchbeck Co. in Guilford, and then as a carpenter with Theodore Wahle and Irving Siewert of Clinton. He was a life member of the National Rifle Association, and the Connecticut State Rifle and Revolver Association. Mr. Jenkins was also a member of the Quaker Hill Rod and Gun Club, and the Westbrook Elks Club. A champion marksman, he represented Connecticut at the National Matches during the 1960’s, shot for the Governor’s Foot Guard Rifle Team, coached the Shoreline Junior Rifle Club in Westbrook, and he was one of Connecticut’s first Hunter Safety Instructors. An avid fifer, he played for many fife and drum corps during his lifetime, including Stony Creek, Ancient Mariners, Westbrook Drum Corps, and the Governor’s Foot Guard Field Music. He is survived by 2 sons Peter and his wife Nancy of North Haven, Robert and his wife Carol of Clinton, as well as a stepdaughter Nancy and her husband David DeGenaro of East Haddam, as well as five grandsons, and four great grandchildren. Besides his wife he was predeceased by a daughter Susan Taylor, brothers, William, Arthur, and Donald and sisters Dorothy Kleinklauf, Catherine Appelbaum, and Elizabeth Bittner. Visitation will be held on Friday Dec. 17, 2010 from 6-8 p.m. at the Swan Funeral Home 80 East Main Street Clinton, with a funeral service at 8 p.m. A graveside service with full military honors will be held on Saturday Dec. 18, 2010 11:00 a.m. at Indian River Cemetery Clinton. The family would like to thank the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department for their kind assistance of Mr. Jenkins. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in his name may be made to the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department 3537 East Main Street Clinton Ct. 06413. Please visit www.swanfh.com to leave an online tribute or condolence.