In the period between Dec. 26, 2018, and Jan. 11, 2019, just 16 days, we lost four people who were well known to most of us living in the Mystic area and especially in Noank.

Phyllis Littlefield, age 80, still active in our Noank Baptist Church choir, sang very well with us without any sign of trouble on Christmas Eve. She celebrated Christmas Day with her husband Peter, then went to sleep and quietly passed away that night, to everyone’s surprise and dismay. She had been an active volunteer in many local organizations, including the Chorus of Westerly, Mystic Garden Club, Noank Historical Society and especially the Mystic Seaport Museum. She and Peter had been married for 53 years.

When Phyllis and Peter lived in Noank, and even after they moved to Stoneridge in Mystic, they made a point of walking together, almost daily, all around the Noank Village area at a fairly brisk pace. They would come down Riverview Avenue to Main Street, pass near our house, and then continue on to Front Street. If I was working in our front yard, Peter and I would invariably trade wisecracks, which amused Phyllis. Sometimes they’d stop to gossip, but only briefly, before charging off to continue their brisk walk.

I’m going to miss that routine very much. I still imagine the two of them coming down the street when I’m out in the yard. And I’ll miss singing with Phyllis in choir.

Then came a real “double whammy” in early January, with the loss of Bill Borden, 89, on Jan. 3, followed by Joan Latham, 87, on Jan. 4. This was a major loss for both families, who were very close, most especially for Cynthia Borden, who lost both her husband and then her sister the very next day.

Bill Borden came to this area after growing up in Alabama, serving in the Air Force and then the Navy, including the nuclear submarine Seawolf, which was based in Groton, where he met Cynthia. They had been married for 60 years.

Bill later retired from Electric Boat after 23 years, and continued his favorite pastime with Cynthia and the Lathams by going to watch as many sporting events as possible in which their children were participating.

Bill himself was a star athlete in his youth, especially as a running fullback.

Bill was also an engaging storyteller with a great sense of humor, as indicated by a short poem of his which was read at his recent memorial service (and brought the house down).

“Three old ladies.....sitting in the sand.... Each one wishing....that the other was a man.”

Bill had been ill for some time recently and his death was very sad but not a complete surprise. I will miss that sense of humor but note it has passed along to his children.

Joan Latham was born locally, was married to Richard Latham for almost 67 years, and was very active in the Noank Baptist Church as a deacon, president of the Ladies Aid Society and Fidelis, along with helping to run Brownie, Cub and Boy Scouts in which their children participated. She and Richard, along with the Bordens, were constant supporters at their children’s athletic events. My wife and I got to know Joan very well through the church as well as the fire department, where Richard was the chief for 30 years.

Joan had also been ill for some time but her death right after Bill Borden’s was a blow to both the families. I will remember Joan for her jovial sense of humor and her ability to get right to the point when church discussions were going off track.

I will also never forget the influence she and Richard provided for guiding younger families to the benefits of taking their kids to Disney World in Florida and going on all the rides. This included ourselves, and we had a great time.

Joan always claimed that husband Richard was “the biggest kid of all” on all the rides.

Then, one week later, we lost Fred Kent, age 72, on Jan. 11 due to a heart attack. This was obviously not expected. Many of us had been working with him on a recent political group activity involving possible changes to the Groton Town Charter. He was full of energy and tireless in his canvassing activities. And age 72 is too young to go, as I sit writing this article at age 78, biting my fingernails slightly.

Fred and his wife Ginger were married for 35 years, had two daughters and lived in Mystic since 2013 after Fred retired from AT&T Communications in New Jersey. He already had strong family ties to this area, including Noank and Groton Long Point. He was active in the U.S. Army Military Police during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1973, serving as captain for the last two years. Locally, he was serving as vice commander of Noank’s American Legion Post # 115 with Russell Fowler, where I first met Fred.

My lasting memory is of Fred marching down Main Street, leading the Legion Post #115 during Noank’s last Memorial Day Parade in May 2018. He was a tall, proud, engaging figure, and it was a relief to finally find someone taller than myself in Noank.

Yes, we lost four good people in a very short period of time. I will always remember them...whether it be at a church service, our street corner, a football game, a track meet or a parade. May they rest in peace.

Ed Johnson lives in Noank.