Earle Greenwood, 82, Navy veteran

Earle Sanford Greenwood of Darien, a former marine chemicals manager and a Navy veteran, died on Saturday, July 31, 2004, at Norwalk Hospital. He was 82 years old.
Mr. Greenwood was born in East Norwalk on April 8, 1922, a son of the late Frederick and Alberta Twist Greenwood. He lived in Norwalk until 1926 when his family moved to Darien.
At Darien High School, he played baseball and basketball for three years and football all four years, in which he earned letters. In his senior year, 1939-1940, Mr. Greenwood was captain and quarterback of the football team and upon graduation in June, was recognized as an outstanding athlete and holder of the highest scholastic average as a senior and received the Class Achievement Cup.
He attended Dartmouth College and shortly thereafter, was accepted at the U.S. Naval Academy where he graduated with the Class of 1946 with a bachelor’s degree.
At the Naval Academy, he won letters in sailing, was captain of the Sailing Team and top academy racer for three years. He was awarded the Col. Thompson Spyglass for placing second of all regimental racing competition in his junior year.
“Greenie,” as classmates at the Naval Academy knew him, was also a talented ventriloquist, performing on stage at academy variety and Musical Club shows with his “Charlie McGish” partner.
Mr. Greenwood served for seven years in the U.S. Navy. He attended Naval Amphibious Command and Mine Warfare Schools in Little Creek and Yorktown, Va. Ensign Greenwood’s overseas tour of duty included minesweeping in Shanghai, China, and serving aboard six minesweepers in two years.
Mr. Greenwood’s career began with the Texaco Oil Company, first as an industrial salesman and later with Texaco’s Marine Department. He then worked for the Perolin Corporation, the Rolfite Company, Fuel Tech and Todd Marine, each as logistics manager dealing in marine chemicals and chemicals for major power companies.
From 1987 until 2001, Mr. Greenwood worked for Chartrek Travel of Darien.
He and his wife, Barbara Margaret Vance Greenwood, lived at 204 High Ridge Avenue during the 1990s. Mrs. Greenwood died in 1995.
Mr. Greenwood was a member of the Westport American Legion Post, Toastmasters International and was honored in 1989 by the Darien Old Timers’ Athletic Association.
“In 2001, Mr. Greenwood accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and was initiated through the living water of Baptism,” his family said.
Mr. Greenwood is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Gary F. and Anne D. Greenwood, and their children Jessica and Hannah of Bethel.
The Rev. Joel Eidsness, senior pastor of the Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel, led graveside services Wednesday at Ridgebury Cemetery.
Kane Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.