Garry Archer

Garry Archer, age 68, of Madison, CT, passed away peacefully on June 21st, 2025 after a brief illness at Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven CT, with his family at his side. Garry was the beloved husband of Ann Ferguson Archer.

Garry was born in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England on August 20, 1956 . The son of James and Barbara Archer, Garry grew up in the village of Woodville, Derbyshire, England. Garry attended primary schools in Woodville, graduating in 1974 from Ashby Grammar School in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, England. While later working in the laboratories at the Severn Trent Water Authority, Garry continued his scientific education at Burton Technical College in Burton-on-Trent.

In 1980, Garry moved to the United States to marry Ann. During their nearly forty five year marriage, Garry and Ann lived in the shoreline towns of Branford, Clinton and for the last thirty one years, Madison CT. During those years, they were blessed with two sons, James and Andrew.

Initially, Garry worked in the research laboratory at Chesebrough Pond’s in Trumbull CT. Wanting to transition to a career in computers, he enrolled as an evening division student at the University of New Haven taking courses at night while also working full time in the computer field. After sixteen years of evening division study, Garry graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics, awarded “Magna Cum Laude”. He was the first person in his family ever to obtain a university degree. Garry worked for over 30 years as a senior level software engineer for various healthcare related companies including Health Systems International (later 3M Health Information Systems), Connecticut Hospital Association, Genaissance Pharmaceuticals and finally, Yale University, working for the Medical School’s Pathology Department from which he retired in 2016.

Garry had many interests including astronomy, British model trains, Formula One auto racing, military history and giving Ann fierce competition at “Jeopardy”. As a young man, Garry had hoped to serve as a pilot in the Royal Air Force (RAF). While life took him in another direction, he never lost his passion and interest in WWII British military aircraft, especially the Spitfire. Garry loved living near the seacoast and especially enjoyed vacations on Cape Cod and visits home to England.

Paramount to any of these interests was Garry’s lifelong love for the game of soccer, “The Beautiful Game.” He played soccer from his earliest years. He was an avid and constant supporter of the Derby County Football Club, a professional soccer team in England. Circa 1990, he and five others developed an internet fan site called the RamsNet which provided a venue for Derby County fans worldwide to connect online to discuss the team. Garry gained many longtime friends around the world through the RamsNet, which still exists today. Garry continued to play soccer recreationally after moving to Connecticut, playing on and managing teams within the Shoreline Adult Soccer League (SASL). In 1981, Garry joined the Executive Board of the SASL, serving on it for 42 years, until 2023. He developed and administered the SASL’s original website which became a central source of league information for hundreds of players throughout CT. During Garry’s time on the SASL Executive board, he saw the SASL grow from three teams to over seventy teams with three age divisions. In 2009, Garry was honored by the Connecticut State Soccer Association when he was inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame in recognition of his many years of service to the game of soccer in CT. After Garry retired from the SASL, he continued to play pickup soccer weekly with a group of players in Madison on Saturday mornings. If asked, however, Garry would tell you that some of his greatest soccer joys came during the twelve years that he coached his sons’ soccer teams in the Clinton and Madison Recreation leagues. Many years later, Garry would still remember all the young players that he coached and recalled details of many of the games. Garry never wanted to stop playing soccer, and he played his final game just five days before he fell ill, at age 68.

Besides his many friends, Garry leaves his wife Ann of Madison CT and son Andrew of Morrisville NC. He also leaves his younger sister Joy Crane of Rugby, England and many nieces and nephews in the United States and England. He was predeceased by his beloved son James who passed in 2018. He was also predeceased by his parents James and Barbara Archer, and his older sister Eileen Harlow, all in England.

Garry was a kind and intelligent soul, with a great sense of humor, especially if the humor was wickedly British. He achieved so much in his life through sheer hard work and perseverance. He was proudly English to the end and loved his family deeply. We will miss him forever.

A memorial service to celebrate Garry’s life will be held on Saturday August 23rd at 1PM at the First Congregational Church of Madison (on the green). In keeping with his longtime wishes, interment will be in Bretby, Derbyshire, England at the convenience of his family.

Memorial contributions in Garry’s name may be made to Soccer Without Borders, 3700 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224, www.soccerwithoutborders.org