Obituary: David Stephen Cryan, 82, of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT - (From B.C. Bailey Funeral Home) David Stephen Cryan entered into eternal rest on July 2, 2022. He was the beloved husband of Lucille (Sicotte) Cryan and devoted father to both Paul and Maryann.

David was born to the late Arthur and Eileen (Bagshaw) Cryan in Lowell, MA on December 26, 1939.

After finishing school, he was fixed up on a double date where he met his bride-to-be, though she was wrongly fixed up with the other guy… Lucille and David did the ultimate switcheroo and ended up together, marrying on September 7, 1963 in Salem, MA.

In 1965, David and Lucille moved across the border to Wallingford, CT, where he began working at Stanley Judd as a material specialist and second shift supervisor. After that, he dedicated 15 years to the maintenance department at Gaylord Hospital.

His daughter, Maryann, has blissful memories as a child of being on the bus for school and seeing her father walking to work, as he would wave to her bus as it passed by him. David loved walking, which is ironic in learning that after a few months at bootcamp for the Navy, he was released when he didn’t pass his physical for deployment due to being “flat-footed” – well, it didn’t seem to stop him in the least bit.

It looks like the Navy missed out! He loved walking so much in fact, that during his time at Autumn Lakes, he was found a few miles away on Route 9 walking “to work”…

In his retirement, David became a Greeter at Walmart, and beamed his sweet, iconic smirk to all those entering for five years. He also worked within the sporting goods section, which was right up his alley with his deep love of all thing’s sports – as long as they were Boston teams.

This included, though was not limited to the Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, and the Patriots.

When he was younger, David would occasionally skip school and take the train to Fenway Park but made sure to smartly sit at the back of the bleachers so that he would not get caught on TV.

One of Paul’s favorite memories with his father was when he took him along on a company picnic and they got to sit right behind home plate together. David’s love of sports was of course passed on to his son.

When surrounded by family and friends, David could always be seen with a smile on his face, and a trademark pack of cigars in his shirt pocket. He enjoyed going to stock car races with friends, where they would indulge in cigars and beer for the day.

He also loved being out on the water with family. When Maryann lived in CT, he would proudly come watch her race her sailboat – either by becoming part of her race crew or by sitting back and enjoying the sail.

He also loved travelling for family reunions. When he was still in school, David would go visit his older sister Jean in Kentucky and spend his summers having fun on her farm with all her children.

And even though he preferred to walk everywhere, he loved to get in the car with his children to take the backroads and go places. This is how Paul got to learn the driving routes in CT to avoid highways, and how Maryann got to savor his favorite ice cream spot as a kid at Burbeck’s in Lowell, MA.

David was never one to dress to impress. He made sure to hike his pants up high enough that you could see the bright white socks he was donning. He was certainly a people person, as he loved talking with everyone.

This especially included his granddaughter, Amanda, whom he would spend time talking to as he cradled her when she was little to watch sports on TV alongside him.

During her baby years, it should be noted they often matched in appearance as well – both beautifully bald and happy. David never worried about things, as he always rolled with the punches, even in the worst of times.

This sentiment is one that his wife and children will always remember about him and cherish alongside all the wonderful memories they’ve made together.

In addition to his parents, David is predeceased by his brother Arthur Cryan and wife Donna;
sister Jean and husband Walter Stockton; brother Peter Cryan; and brother in-law Brad Brusso.
He is survived by his wife, Lucille (Sicotte) Cryan; children, Paul Cryan and Maryann Cryan-
Murphy (and wife Kelly); granddaughter, Amanda Osgood; sister-in-law Terry Cryan; sister-in-
law Carol (Bob) Newton; sister-in-law Jeanne Brusso; brother-in-law Paul Sicotte; sister-in-law
Florence (James) Sicotte-Jones, and several extended family members and friends.

There will be a celebration of life for David on August 5th, 2022, at Hammonasset Beach State
Park, any time between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. for all friends and family.

To honor David, casual beach attire is encouraged.

The family would like to especially thank the staff at Autumn Lake for the care of David over the past nine years – even when he managed to escape once.

In honor of his memory, skip a day of school or work and go to a baseball game to see a favorite team play, or simply go on a walk and reminisce of a time David brought a smile to your face.

B.C. Bailey Funeral Home of Wallingford, Connecticut is honored to have been entrusted with David’s arrangements and care.