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WALLINGFORD - 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 12pm and 6pm 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.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David Stephen Cryan, please visit our floral store.