Farmington Obituary: Earl Ludlam, 88

Earl George Ludlam, 88, of Unionville and Burlington, beloved husband of Claire (Erkson) Ludlam, passed away Tuesday, August 23, 2016.

Born February 10, 1928 in Hartford, he grew up on a tobacco farm with his parents, Earl G. Ludlam, Sr. and Florence J. (Murray) Ludlam, and grandparents in South Windsor. He moved with his mother and sister to Hartford in 1940 and graduated from Bulkeley High School in 1946; he was starting pitcher for three years for the Bulldogs baseball team. After graduating, Earl, a lifelong fan of baseball, pitched in the Hartford Twilight League, while at the same time working at Decca Records in Hartford.

Earl entered the US Army in 1950. After training in northern Japan, he was sent to the front lines in Korea in 1951 during the conflict in that country; he reached the rank of Sgt. 1st Class in his rifle platoon, earning the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) and other medals. He was honorably discharged in 1952.

Upon his return to the US, Earl began working at G. Fox & Company, and continued there until retiring in 1982. Afterwards, he enjoyed several more years working as a landscaper at Farmington Woods.

Earl loved all sports, but particularly baseball. In more recent years, he closely followed the UCONN women’s basketball team. He has been a member of St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Unionville since 1965. Earl will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, loving devotion to his family, and faithful service to his country. In May Earl and Claire celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary.

In addition to his lovely wife, Earl is survived by his four children and their spouses Paula and William Boltman, Patricia and Daniel Becker, Janine and Gene Draschner, and Timothy Ludlam and Kathleen Brett. He was affectionately called “Poppy” by his six grandchildren, Phillip and Shannon Becker, and Regan, Colin, Christopher, and Patrick Draschner. He is predeceased by his only sibling, Dorothy Welch.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the UConn Medical staff for their kind and attentive care for Earl during these past weeks.

His family will receive friends and family on Friday, August 26, from 5-7 pm at Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main Street Unionville. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10am Saturday, August 27, in the church of St.Mary’s Star of the Sea in Unionville. Followed by burial at St. Mary Cemetery, Avon with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, 198 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.

To send online condolences to the family please visit ahernfuneralhome.com.