Francis George Weigle

Francis was born on July 18, 1925, in Groton.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Joan Hart. He is also survived by his children, Candice (Michael) , Carl (Jan), Claudia (Kurt) and Clarke (Sara), grandchildren, Elrond (Liz), Alaric (Liz), Brook (Fred), Alison (Matt), Kael, Amanda, Blaze, Tommy and James, and great-grandchildren, Nadia, Lucas, Emmaus and Brooksley. and he survived his parents, E. George Wigle and Bertha Montgomery of Quaker Hill, his brothers Bobby and Jim, and great-grandson, Eden.

He attended Bulkley High School in New London. Fran was an Eagle Scout and worked at Colombia Labs, a precursor to the Underwater Sound Laboratory in New London. In 1944, the draft interrupted his college education at Cornell, and took him to the Philippines during World War II and then to Japan for the occupation. Upon return, he went back to and graduated from Cornell in 1950. His roommate, Joe Gorra, of New London, and he remained good friends; they saw each other the day before Fran’s death.

Francis worked at the Navy Underwater Sound Laboratory as an acoustic physicist and traveled the world studying sonar in the world’s deep waters. In 1958, he made underwater acoustic observations during the USS Skate’s historical voyage to and surface at the North Pole. When he retired from the Sound Lab, he fulfilled a life long dream of riding his bicycle from Connecticut to Washington State, where he was given a key to the city of Paulsbo.

Francis was a faithful member of the Westerly Band. He attended the Waterford Congregational Church at Cross Roads. He sang for many years in the church choir when they were located at the 2nd Congregational Church in New London. He also sang in the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00, on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at Union Cemetery, Quaker Hill followed by a memorial celebration at Quaker Hill Fire Department. Please visit www.fultontherouxnewlondon.com for photos, tributes, directions, and more service information.

In remembrance of Francis, please donate to the charity of your choice or to the Westerly Band, PO Box 614, Westerly RI 02891.