Franklin Rich

Former Peconic resident Franklin Overton Rich of Stonington, Conn. died April 28 of Parkinson’s Disease and heart failure. He was 84. 

He was born Nov. 4, 1930, in Greenport to Frances (Overton) and James Henry Rich and grew up on the Overton family homestead in Peconic. He graduated from Southold High School in in 1948 and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point in 1952. He later served on active duty with the U.S. Navy.

In 1959, Mr. Rich married Doris Goodwin of New Hartford, Conn.

Beginning his career at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in 1952 as an engineer on the Nautilus project, Mr. Rich worked on successive classes of submarines, ending his 40 years at Electric Boat as program manager of the Seawolf.

Family members said he enjoyed fishing, lobstering, sailing, gardening and tending his large orchard. He also traveled extensively to over 44 countries, including China, Egypt, Russia and South Africa.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Rich is survived by his children, Susanna Oursler of Street, Md., Chester, of Sacramento, Calif. and Katherine Hudnut; his brother, James of Southold and six grandchildren.

A funeral service took place May 2 in Mystic, Conn.