Obituary: Anthony Land, 75, Former Weston Police Chief

Information and Photo Courtesy Bouton Funeral Home

REDDING, CT — It is with great sadness that we inform the world of the passing of a wonderful and caring friend, husband, father and grandfather, Anthony Land. Tony passed away on Friday, July 8, at the age of 75 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease. To those of you that knew him, I’m sure you can all share our sorrow, as he will be greatly missed. Always happy to see loved ones and always ready with a joke, often to the chagrin of his wife and meeting with her rolling eyes, his large dimples, great smile and boyish charm was all it took to make people smile and fall in love with his personality.

Born in 1947 in Bay Shore, NY to Edgar (Bud) Land and Agnes Goehle, Tony was the third born of eight children. After leaving Long Island, Bud and Agnes raised their family in Bernardsville, Morristown and Madison, NJ. Learning carpentry from his dad, who was a home builder, Tony put himself through college as a skilled carpenter. His talents meant that he was able to accomplish significant renovations to his and Kathleen’s homes in South Windsor and Redding.

Tony was a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he earned his degree in Management Engineering Technology and, upon graduation, worked as a staff engineer for the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union. Making a career change, he earned a BA degree in Sociology from Fairleigh Dickinson University and his MS degree in Human Resources Management from The Hartford Graduate Center. He also was a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA.

Tony was a career police officer, beginning in 1972 in the Morris County New Jersey Parks department. In 1974, he moved on to the East Hartford Police department and in 1990 to Weston as police chief, retiring in 2007. He was an adjunct professor at Western Connecticut State University, teaching Criminal Justice classes in the evening. Teaching and mentoring students and young officers came naturally to him. He had the skill set to communicate and educate, and the practical experience to entertain and keep his classes involved.

Tony was an avid gardener, a talented artist, enjoyed traveling and hiking America’s national parks, and loved fishing on Long Island Sound.

His greatest joy was his grandchildren. He embraced the title and the privileges of being Grandpa to his granddaughter Indigo and grandson Teagin. They would have Grandpa Day one or two days per week starting at six months old, going on adventures, going out for lunch with friends, visiting parks and museums and building a special relationship together. He taught them both many things and made them smile and laugh only the way a grandfather could.

Tony is survived by his wife Kathleen Leone Land, his siblings, Ed, Maggie Blanck, Justy Leler, Zach, Ben, Mathew and Kevin, his sons Anthony and Danny, daughter-in-law Shelby and grandchildren Indigo and Teagin.

A celebration of life will be held 12-3 p.m., Saturday, August 6, at Michael’s Tap Room, 37 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel, CT.