SOUTHBURY, CT: Walter Tarby 86, of son of Anna (Korin) and Leon Tarby, of Southbury, CT passed away April 2, 2004 at his home with his devoted family by his side. He was born and attended school in Seymour where he resided for many years until moving to Southbury in 1966. He was affectionately known as "Tiger". He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
A lover of baseball, he graduated from Bill McGowan’s umpire school in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was an umpire for 40 years. He began his professional umpire career in the Appalachian League and then went to the West Coast League. When he returned to Seymour, he umpired in the Waterbury Baseball Umpire League and the Naugatuck Valley Umpire League Association. He was one of the founders and umpire of the Seymour Little League and helped construct Seymour’s Little League field.
For 25 years he owned and operated the former Old Drive Package Store in Seymour. He and he wife were one of the founding members of the Seymour Pumkin Festival in 1965. For many years their store was the headquarters for the Pumkin Festival. After his retirement he and his wife ran the Friendly Senior Travelers from their home for 15 years, taking seniors on many enjoyable trips.
He is survived by his loving family including his beloved wife of 48 years Lois (Chapman) Tarby, his stepson, Lawrence C. Greene, and his wife, Marcia of Princeton, MA and Pearce, AZ and six grandchildren, Lawrence C. Greene Jr. and Sherry Gelinas in MA, Wendy Hurdman in NJ, Steven Groome in Ohio, and Jonathan Groome and James Groome in NC and 9 great grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Betty Benner and Mary Dzubina of Woodbridge.
A memorial service with Requiem Eucharist will be held Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. in Trinity Episcopal Church, 91 Church Street, Seymour. There are no calling hours. Interment with Military Honors will be in Trinity Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church. The Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 West Church Street, Seymour has care of the arrangements. To express condolences to Walter’s family online, go to www.hullfh.com