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EASTON, Conn. Members of the Easton community spoke with fondness Tuesday of Clarence Bud Jennings, who died over the weekend.
I think Easton lost a valuable citizen who was active in trying to maintain the standards of the community, said Town Clerk Derek Buckley.
Born in Westport, he was a lifelong area resident. He graduated from Roger Ludlow High School in Fairfield, where he met the love of his life, Caroline. Together they raised five children in Fairfield and Easton.
Jennings, who was 76, had a long withstanding history in Easton. He volunteered for many organizations in town as coach, a scout leader and was a fixture at nearly every single town meeting.
First Selectman Thomas Herrmann said Tuesday that Jennings never shied away from voicing his opinion to town officials. Bud was an interesting individual, in that he could bellow at meetings and express his feelings and disappointment, but when we were alone and he was sitting in my office, one on one, he was always a gentleman to me. He was a very nice man.
Jennings was also an active member of the Easton Animal Shelter Building Committee and a lover of dogs. He was said to be the first in line to receive his dog license every year, getting the first tag issued.
He was committed to seeing that the new animal shelter would be the best facility for the Easton community. He loved animals and took great pride in talking about his own dogs and how he was involved in their training programs. He supported the Easton Police K-9 program and many other police programs, said Police Chief John Solomon.
Bud will be missed by me and all of the members of the new shelter committee, said Solomon. Jennings' family has asked that memorial donations be made to the Easton Animal Shelter. On Monday night, the shelter committee discussed putting up a plaque in Jennings honor when the new shelter is completed, commemorating his dedication to the animals of Easton.
Jennings was the father to five children. He was also the former owner of the Driftwood Lounge in Fairfield and Stamford Millworks LLC. He was a member of the Elks Lodge #2220 in Fairfield, the Easton Lions Club, the National Rifle Association and Citizens for Responsible Government. He was also a freemason and justice of the peace.
I always thought Uncle Bud would live forever. It's so hard to grasp that hes no longer with us. He will be missed by all who knew him, Jennings niece, Bev Palumbo, said on an online guestbook for Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home.
Jennings nephew, Paul Palumbo Jr., wrote, I still cannot believe Uncle Bud has left us; I will remember the memories of going over to their house and having Auntie Carol make dinner and entertaining.
Friends are invited to attend the funeral Saturday, Nov. 26, at 11 a.m. at the Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home, 50 Reef Road, Fairfield. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Friends may greet the family on Friday, Nov. 25, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
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