John Edward Searight (Ed), of Heritage Village in Southbury, CT, formerly of Westport and Fairfield, CT, died February 16 of natural causes. He was 91.
Born October 12, 1919 in Harrisburg, PA, he was the son of the late Clarence Lee Searight and the late Amy Davidson Searight. He was raised in Harrisburg, PA, Cincinnati, OH, and Teaneck, NJ where he graduated from high school. An accomplished trumpet player, he trained in Manhattan and considered a career as a musician. His band was accompanied on occasion by Frank Sinatra. In 1942, he graduated from Syracuse University where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy from August 1942 to October 1945 as the Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Andrews, PC606, in the South Pacific. He married Jane Elizabeth Boettler of East Aurora, New York on April 8, 1943 while on sick leave.
Upon returning to civilian life, he worked as The National Sales Manager of WearEver Aluminum Company. In 1984 he retired with his wife to Scottsdale, AZ.
He moved to Southbury, Connecticut in 1998. He was an avid golfer and a member of The Pomperaug Golf Club. He gardened, read, played bridge, and entertained friends. He volunteered for Meals on Wheels and was an active member of The United Church of Christ, Southbury. Most of all, he adored spending time with his family, especially his five grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, the love of his life, Jane Elizabeth Boettler; and his older brother, Richard Lee Searight of St. Louis, MO.
Survivors include his three children and their spouses, Lynne Lavieri and her husband Joseph of Harwichport, MA; Diane Entrikin and her husband Nicholas of Notre Dame, IN; Richard Searight and his wife Cynthia of Southport, CT; and his five grandchildren, Amy Lavieri, John Entrikin, Devin Entrikin, John Searight, and Elizabeth Searight; nieces, nephews and his friends at Heritage Village, especially Jean Dean.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492.

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Funeral: United Church of Christ

Services: A memorial service will be held at 2: 00 p.m. on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at the United Church of Christ, Southbury, 283 Main Street, Southbury, CT.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.