George Soderstrom

George was born in New Haven, CT, on March 21, 1928. George was the son of Albert G. Soderstrom and Margaret Bushnell Soderstrom Richter. George resided in Stony Creek, Branford, CT, until he moved to Westbrook, CT, at the age of 10.

George enlisted in the United States Navy on March 28, 1946, while still a senior at Morgan High School in Clinton, CT. He returned home on leave to graduate with his high school class of 1946 proudly wearing his Navy whites to honor his country. He served as an Aviation Flight Engineer during his tenure in the Navy until March 25, 1949, when he was awarded five service medals.

After his separation from the Navy, George continued his education at Del Mar College in Corpus Christie, TX, studied pre-optometry at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, and five years at the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry in Philadelphia, PA, where he received his Doctor’s degree. Besides Connecticut, George was licensed to practice in the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

George married the love of his life, Elizabeth “Betty” Neuwirth Soderstrom on August 25, 1951. In December, 1954, George and Betty settled into their new home at 25 West Main Street, Clinton, CT where George also set up his private optometric practice serving three generations of shoreline families for the next 54 years, while raising their three children, David, Debra and Mark.

George was an active member of the Clinton Rotary Club, serving as President 1961-1962. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 66.

George and Betty enjoyed scuba diving with the Shoreline Sounders and boating with the Cow Hill Yacht Club. George was an avid boatman, fisherman and lobsterman. Besides diving, George enjoyed skiing (downhill and cross country) and skating (ice and roller). He loved gardening and was quite the pie maker. He even dabbled in making homemade wine and beer.

George was an innovator within his profession and consistently held himself to a high standard while caring for the vision of his patients. He continued to further his knowledge in his field up until his retirement at 80 years of age in 2008. He was a diplomate of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, a member of Connecticut Optometric Society and recently was awarded recognition from the American Optometric Association for 60 years of membership.

George is preceded in death by his wife, Betty; son, David Allen; brother, Raymond; and brother- in- law, Robert Woodstock. He is survived by his sisters, Johanna “Jo Jo” and husband William “Bill” Schneider of Westbrook, CT; Alberta “Bert” Woodstock of Jupiter, FL; daughter Debra Boggess of Las Flores, CA; son Mark and wife Susan of Old Saybrook, CT; daughter-in-law Diane Soderstrom of Rocky Hill, CT; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Services will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2016, at Swan Funeral Home, 80 East Main Street, Clinton, CT. Visitation will be from 3:00-6:00pm directly followed by a memorial service also at Swan Funeral Home from 6:00 to 7:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, Northampton, MA, 01061-0515.