He and his wife, Janet Kathryn Poet (née Burkel), celebrated 50 years of marriage last year. He loved his grandchildren, the Patriots and making lists — roughly in that order. He was generous with his time and enjoyed nothing more than helping other people solve their problems. He also loved to travel: to the beaches of Cape Cod, New Jersey and Florida; to the American West; and to Europe. He was a student of history, was a life-long learner and loved movies and books.
Born in New York City on Dec. 11, 1943, he spent most of his youth in New Jersey and graduated from Marietta College in Ohio. He found law school not to his liking, so he went on to a long career at the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration in Boston, MA. He was a longtime resident of Randolph, MA, before moving in 2006 to Portland, CT.
He was a natural public speaker and had a passion for public service, becoming involved in civic and community endeavors his entire life. He was a town meeting member in Randolph, an office-holder in the Randolph Youth Soccer Association, a member of the Randolph public schools scholarship advisory board and a member of the First Congregational Church of Randolph. In Portland, he held multiple leadership roles in the Bartlett Hill Homeowners Association and the First Congregational Church of Portland. He also held administrative positions within the Connecticut chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Associations, most recently as its secretary.
In addition to wife Janet, originally from Wrentham, MA, he is survived by his sister, Renee Poet, of Prospect, CT; son Matthew Poet and daughter-in-law Tina Poet, of Wallingford, CT; son Jonathan Poet and daughter-in-law Dana Dorman, of Philadelphia, PA; and grandchildren Dylan, Jake and Margot. He was preceded by his parents, Raymond B. Poet and Ruth. D. Poet.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, at the First Congregational Church of Portland, 554 Main St., Portland, CT. His ashes will be scattered later in a private service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the First Congregational Church of Portland, 554 Main St., Portland, CT 06480, or the Portland Library, 20 Freestone Ave., Portland, CT 06480.
Glastonbury Funeral Home, 450 New London Tnpk. Glastonbury, is assisting with arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.glastonburyfuneral.com
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