Herbert Hanford Bottomley

Herbert Hanford Bottomley died peacefully at his home in Monroe on February 27, 2016 at the age of 97. Hank was a wonderful role model, a loving and devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He was the husband of the late Thordis Hoyesen and Helen Whitaker and the son of Herbert Bottomley and Jessie Bracken Bottomley. Hank was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on May 3, 1918 and lived in Connecticut his entire life. He graduated from Central High School in 1935 and University of Connecticut in 1941, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. He was a member of Phi-Mu-Delta fraternity. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Navy (Seabees Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11). Following time in the Navy, he attended United States Coast Guard Academy. Stateside, he served in New Orleans and Curtis Bay Maryland. In the Pacific, he served as a Loran Map Making Officer in the Dutch East Indies at Morotai, and in the Philippines on Lubang Island. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant by the end of the war. Hank was a professional Civil engineer for the State of Connecticut for 32 years. He survived a severe accident which nearly took his life during the construction of a bridge on the Connecticut Turnpike in Norwalk. Prior to and after his retirement, he kept himself busy working as a Monroe Special Policeman, Monroe Postman, and a Stepney Volunteer fireman, jobs he claimed that "every little boy wanted to be". Hank also enjoyed working as a "go-fer" for Gilbertie's Herb Gardens in Easton until his late eighties. Hank was a devout Christian and served the Episcopal Church in many ways during his lifetime. As a boy, he sang in the St. John's Episcopal Church Boys Choir in Bridgeport. Hank was a member of the Christ Church Tashua family for 62 years. Over the years, he sang in the choir, served as Vestry member, Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent. At the annual church Apple Festival, he gave tours of the church sanctuary and cemetery which people enjoyed. He will be laid to rest on the church grounds. Hank believed that his deep faith in God lifted him through his accident to care for his two children, Robert and Linda Sue, who were 5 and 2 at the time. He is survived by his devoted children, Linda Sue Liuzzo and her husband Raymond of Fairfield, CT, Robert Bottomley and his wife Rebecca of Hardwick MA, and Linda DeNitto and her husband Joseph of Bridgeport, CT. Also by his five loving grandchildren, Lynette Calkins and her husband David of Wallingford CT, Tracy Budnik and her husband Bryan of Ridgefield CT, Sarah Duncan and her husband Brett of Hubbardston MA, William Bottomley and his wife Elisabeth of Monson MA and David Bottomley of Breckenridge CO. He also has six great grandchildren, Sienna Calkins, Savannah Calkins, Brynn Budnik, Faye Budnik, Bria Duncan and Parker Bottomley. The family would like to thank his wonderful caregivers Deena Rudman, the Chaifetz Family Hospice and Connecticut In-Home Assistance for their compassion and outstanding care. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Sanctuary Restoration Fund, Christ Church Tashua, 5170 Madison Avenue, Trumbull, CT 06611. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at Christ Church Tashua on May 14, 2016 at 11:00 am. To share a memory or leave an online condolence, please visit www.spearmillerfuneralhome.com.