Seth F. Wakeman, 88, of Stonington, Conn., died unexpectedly, Saturday, March 9, 2019, as the result of an unexpected accident in Mystic, Conn.
He was the loving husband of 35 years to Joanna “Joey” (Cochrane) Wakeman, who sadly also died due to the unexpected accident.
Born in Springfield and raised in Northampton, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving four years, honorably discharged in 1955 as a petty officer 2nd class. Following his military service, Seth attended Nichols Junior College, graduating in 1958. He eventually went on to earn his B.S. in finance from New York University.
A resident of Stonington for the past 18 years, Seth previously resided on Martha’s Vineyard.
Seth spent most of his working career in the field of banking as a loan officer and branch manager for the former Hartford National Bank in Mystic and general manager at Pfizer Employees Credit Union for many years. He was also employed at the former Poole’s Fish Market on Martha’s Vineyard. He retired in 1999.
Throughout his professional career, and during his retirement years, Seth dedicated his time to volunteering and giving back to many organizations in the surrounding communities.
He formerly served on numerous municipal levels, and held several positions in the nonprofit sector, including vice president for Save the Haley Farm and treasurer of the Pequotsepos Wildlife Sanctuary. Seth was a longtime and active member in the Rotary Club of Mystic for over 50 years, serving as past president, and a member and charter member of the Vineyard Rotary Club. In 2003, he was introduced and became a member of the Odd Fellows Stonington Lodge No. 26 (I.O.O.F.), and had been treasurer since 2005. Seth was also a member, past president, and was currently serving as vice president of the Quiambaug Volunteer Fire Company in Stonington, and a member of the Fire Police Unit during his active time within the department. With his strong background and knowledge in finance, Seth was able to serve Fairview and many other organizations over the years. In addition to his many civic duties, he loved being near the ocean, fishing, lobstering, and shellfishing.
Seth is survived by his three sons, Peter Wakeman of Narragansett, R.I., David Wakeman of Noank, Conn., and Andrew Wakeman and his wife, Miriam, of San Diego, Calif.; three stepsons, Michael Losacano of Niantic, Conn., David Losacano of Mystic, and William Losacano and his wife, Siri, of Norway; and a granddaughter, Molly.
A joint celebration of Seth and Joanna’s life will held Monday, March 18, from 5 to 8 pm at the Mystic Funeral Home located on Route 1 in Mystic. For those wishing to locate the funeral home with GPS, please use 51 Williams Ave., Mystic, for the physical address. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 20, at 12 pm at. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Edgartown. A private burial will be held in Chilmark.
In remembering Seth, please consider a donation in his memory to the Rotary Club of Mystic, P.O. Box 153, Mystic, CT 06355.
