Walter Edward Laskey, 96, of Groton

Information via Byles-MacDougall Funeral Service

Walter Edward Laskey, 96, formerly of Cobblestone Drive, passed away on Sunday, November 27, 2016 at Fairview Nursing Home in Groton.

He was born on May 10, 1920 to John and Stella Laskey in Cleveland, Ohio. Having been raised and educated there he graduated from East Technical School in 1937. Upon graduation, he attended nightly college courses before joining the Navy in 1939 to pursue medical training school in San Diego, CA. Upon completion, he was transferred and assigned to duty at a large Naval Dispensary in Panama. When World War II broke out, he was later transferred to the Submarine Base here in Groton where he attended Radar, Submarine, and Sound Schools. Once completed “Walt” was assigned to the Submarine “USS Cod” still under construction at Electric Boat Company in Groton.

While stationed in Groton, he met the “love of his life”, Dolores Batchelder, who also worked at the Base. They were united in marriage on March 27, 1943 until Dolores’ death in November 2005.

Walt served on the “Cod” for the remainder of the war, surviving enemy depth charges during 5 war patrols. Due to the skillful Captain and prayers of the crew, the “Cod” was able to return to home port and years later was decommissioned and is currently displayed in Cleveland, Ohio.

When the war was over, Walt served on various submarines in the capacity of “Medical Medic” in the Groton Submarine Base area. He finished out his naval career as an Instructor for Submarine Medical School, retiring after 20 years of service. After Walt’s naval career, he was hired by Pfizer, Inc. in Groton as a Technician and was later promoted to Supervisor in the Drug Safety Department. He retired after 24 years.

Walt and Dolores traveled extensively all over the world after his retirement. They were happily married for 62 years before her passing. Walt was also predeceased by his son Jack of Newington in November 2008, and Walt’s brother Chester of Venice, FL, in 2004. Surviving him is his son Bill Laskey and his wife Karen, of Gales Ferry; daughter in law Barbara Laskey, of Newington; and his grandchildren Dayne Laskey and his wife Corey, Kristin Laskey, and Megan Goncalves and her husband Christopher; and his great granddaughter Eloise.

He was a lifetime member of the Submarine Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Fleet Reserves.

A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, December 2, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 56 Sacred Heart Drive, Groton.

Burial with military honors will follow in St. Mary Cemetery in New London. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, December 1st from 5 to 7 p.m. at Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames Street, Groton.