THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 27, 1995 TAG: 9505270641
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: STONINGTON, CONN. LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Master Chief Quartermaster Thomas J. Stebbins, 69, of 8 Swan St., Pawcatuck, died early Thursday morning, May 25, 1995, at his home. He was the husband of Elizabeth Dora Gray Stebbins.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on July 16, 1925, he was a son of the late Charles C. and Catherine Hoffman Stebbins.
Mr. Stebbins was a 30-year veteran of the Navy. Upon graduation from Submarine School in 1943, he was assigned to the USS Runner for war patrol. He was present at the signing of the Japanese Peace Treaty in Yokosuka, Japan. He retired from active duty in July of 1973.
At the time of his retirement, he had been curator of the Submarine Museum/Library in New London, Conn. He had previously been assigned to the staff of the Commander of Submarine Development Group Two as an assistant operations officer in Groton.
Mr. Stebbins was the designer and vice chairman of the committee constructing the Wall of Honor for Submarine Veterans of World War II, which will be dedicated in September. He also assisted many authors with information regarding submarines and was instrumental in helping the Intrepid Museum in New York City with the submarine exhibit.
Besides his wife, he leaves two sons, Thomas J. Stebbins Jr. of Newport and Michael Gray Stebbins of Niantic, Conn.; five daughters, Catherine R. Freel of Hampton, Va., Susan E. Johnson and Theresa Mary Stebbins, both of Pawcatuck, Gail Lynn Connor of Norwich and Celeste Helen Collins of Westerly; a sister, Mary E. Faber of Long Island, N.Y.; 15 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial to be offered in the Shepherd of the Sea Church, Groton, Conn., on Saturday, May 27, at 1:30 p.m. Interment with military honors will be in Arlington National Cemetery. Rushlow-Iacoi Funeral Home, 64 Friendship St., Westerly, is handling arrangements.
Memorial donations may be made to the Building Fund, Peninsula Catholic High School, 332 34th St., Newport News, Va. 23607.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB