Daniel Edward Cummings Jr.

Groton - Daniel Edward Cummings Jr., 94, of Groton, passed away very peacefully Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, surrounded by his loving family and friends in the home that he built and so enjoyed overlooking the Thames River.

Dan was born on May 8, 1916, at the family home at 21 Tenth St., East New London, the only son of his late parents, Daniel E. Cummings Sr. and Elizabeth (Dodds) Cummings. He grew up in New London, graduating from Chapman Technical High School in 1934 and resided most of his life in the New London-East Lyme-Groton area.

Dan displayed a strong work ethic at an early age when at the age of nine he worked on a bread truck at 4 a.m. before school to help his family. This work ethic and dedication to family continued his entire life. He enjoyed a 28 year career in civil service working for the U.S. Navy, first as a coppersmith and pipefitter at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard during World War II and then rising to the level of supervisor at SubShips at Electric Boat in Groton before retiring in 1974. During the late 1950s, Dan also started a part-time plumbing business in New London under the trade name "D.E. Cummings Plumbing & Heating" which grew into a full-time family business when he retired from government service. He held a Master Plumbing license, and his business was locally known for top quality, reliable, and affordable service. Having grown up in a poor community during the Great Depression, he appreciated the economic situation of his customers and always strived to provide the most affordable service in the area.

Dan made many good friends as a result of his plumbing work and was well known for his willingness to provide guidance and equipment to do-it-yourself projects and to help anyone with plumbing and heating problems. Dan probably provided more gratis plumbing work to friends and those who could not afford it, than any other business in the area. His proud achievement last year was that, at the age of 93, he virtually single- handedly installed a boiler in his own home.

Dan married Beatrice E. Santacroce on April 23,1938, at Sacred Heart Church in Groton. The couple lived in Philadelphia from 1941 until approximately 1949 when they returned to the local area for good. During their time in Philadelphia, they had a son, Ronald.

Dan and Bea particularly enjoyed ballroom dancing and it was a significant part of their recreational life beginning with the dance clubs at old Ocean Beach prior to the 1938 Hurricane. They would frequently go dancing at the New London Elks Club and other social events. Dan's love of ballroom dancing continued until the last three years of his life when knee ailments reduced his dancing mobility. Dan and Bea also enjoyed annual extended vacations, either travelling to various parts of the country or Canada, and after their son was grown, vacationing in Florida with relatives and friends. Entertaining friends and relatives at their home was also a frequent and important part of Dan and Bea's life together and often included large, delicious Italian meals. Dan was always a devoted husband and father and took care of Bea at home for years during a progressively debilitating illness until she was confined to a convalescent home in 2005. Dan's continued devotion was then manifested in virtually unbroken daily visits to Bea in both the morning and evening until her death on July 2, 2007. Dan and Bea had enjoyed 69 years of marriage.

Dan was a longtime member of the Elks Lodge 360 in New London and was very active in the Lodge together with his father. For years he enjoyed playing cards in the afternoon, the camaraderie and socializing with other members after work, the club activities, and the evening social events that included ballroom dancing. At the time of his death he was a Life Member of the Lodge.

Dan was always a selfless provider and the bedrock of the family. His sense of humor and personal stories were endless gifts. We hope he will be remembered for his constant willingness to help others, and words cannot describe how greatly he is missed by his family.

He is survived by his son, Ronald G. Cummings, granddaughter, Lindsay C. Cummings, grandson and proud namesake, Daniel E. Cummings all of Madison; a sister, Mary (Cummings) Morth and husband, Joseph, of Franklin, Pa.; sisters-in-law, Betty Santacroce of East Hartford and Doris Santacroce of East Hampton, N.Y.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank his longtime physician, Dr. Jon Gaudio, for his excellent and personal care through the years and more recently, Dr. Jason Haldas and his entire staff for all their superb care and personal consideration extended to Dan during his many visits.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, in Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 181 Ocean Ave., New London. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New London. A calling hour will be held at 10 a.m. one hour before the service on Thursday in the funeral home.