Obituary for Brian Lewis Dingwell
Brian Lewis Dingwell
“Boomer”
Brian passed away peacefully on February 8, 2022 at his home in Litchfield under hospice care at the age of 75.
He was the loving husband of Phyllis (Anstett) Dingwell ,whom he married August 18, 1968. For the next 54 years their love ran deep, and they always found ways to aggravate and annoy each other and neither would have it any other way.
Brian was born in Torrington, CT on April 3, 1946. He was raised in Litchfield, CT by his late parents George F. Dingwell and Eva Barbara (Tomaschyk) Dingwell. After Serving his country in Vietnam, Brian returned home in 1967 and helped turn around the family business, Ding’s Auto Parts, that his father started in 1958. Cars and work were his passion and with his keen business sense he was able to build Ding’s into a very successful auto recycling business providing used auto parts to shops and customers across southern New England.
He thoroughly enjoyed the muscle car era, souping up cars and racing with his friends. He loved telling the story of the time he rebuilt the transmission in one of his cars 30 times in one month because he liked pushing them past their limits. Then there is the rumor of the time he took the corner around Murphy's Pharmacy in his Ford on 2 wheels and there may or may not have been some local constables struggling to keep chase.
In his later years, Brian's grandchildren brought him some of the greatest joys he had ever experienced. His grandson was able to operate the payloader and other equipment on his own by the time he was 6 because of Brian's tutelage. He would love to “fall asleep”, ok there were probably times when he really was sleeping, and let his granddaughters cover his face, arms and round belly in paint and markers. They thought he looked great in makeup. At the age of 3, his youngest granddaughter already shares his love for cars and the bucket loader.
Under his tough exterior was a man that deeply cared for those around him. Friends, family, and those who’s path he crossed consistently, he showed a deep respect and loyalty to. He was selfless in his ways when it came to someone in need. He always made sure to take care of those he cared about. He was a very giving and generous man and contributed to many charities throughout his life. His favorite being St. Jude’s Children Hospital. It broke his heart to see children suffer.
Brian is survived by his sons Heath Dingwell (Robin), and Brandon Dingwell, his brothers George Dingwell and Jeffrey Dingwell, his sisters Grayce Rogers, Alison Boylan (Matt), and Priscilla Mosher (Jesse), and his 4 grandchildren Matthew, Amber, Emma, and Elizabeth.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at the American Legion,400 Bantam Road, Litchfield from 2-6pm. Military Honors will be at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Jude’s Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105
“Boomer”
Brian passed away peacefully on February 8, 2022 at his home in Litchfield under hospice care at the age of 75.
He was the loving husband of Phyllis (Anstett) Dingwell ,whom he married August 18, 1968. For the next 54 years their love ran deep, and they always found ways to aggravate and annoy each other and neither would have it any other way.
Brian was born in Torrington, CT on April 3, 1946. He was raised in Litchfield, CT by his late parents George F. Dingwell and Eva Barbara (Tomaschyk) Dingwell. After Serving his country in Vietnam, Brian returned home in 1967 and helped turn around the family business, Ding’s Auto Parts, that his father started in 1958. Cars and work were his passion and with his keen business sense he was able to build Ding’s into a very successful auto recycling business providing used auto parts to shops and customers across southern New England.
He thoroughly enjoyed the muscle car era, souping up cars and racing with his friends. He loved telling the story of the time he rebuilt the transmission in one of his cars 30 times in one month because he liked pushing them past their limits. Then there is the rumor of the time he took the corner around Murphy's Pharmacy in his Ford on 2 wheels and there may or may not have been some local constables struggling to keep chase.
In his later years, Brian's grandchildren brought him some of the greatest joys he had ever experienced. His grandson was able to operate the payloader and other equipment on his own by the time he was 6 because of Brian's tutelage. He would love to “fall asleep”, ok there were probably times when he really was sleeping, and let his granddaughters cover his face, arms and round belly in paint and markers. They thought he looked great in makeup. At the age of 3, his youngest granddaughter already shares his love for cars and the bucket loader.
Under his tough exterior was a man that deeply cared for those around him. Friends, family, and those who’s path he crossed consistently, he showed a deep respect and loyalty to. He was selfless in his ways when it came to someone in need. He always made sure to take care of those he cared about. He was a very giving and generous man and contributed to many charities throughout his life. His favorite being St. Jude’s Children Hospital. It broke his heart to see children suffer.
Brian is survived by his sons Heath Dingwell (Robin), and Brandon Dingwell, his brothers George Dingwell and Jeffrey Dingwell, his sisters Grayce Rogers, Alison Boylan (Matt), and Priscilla Mosher (Jesse), and his 4 grandchildren Matthew, Amber, Emma, and Elizabeth.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at the American Legion,400 Bantam Road, Litchfield from 2-6pm. Military Honors will be at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Jude’s Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105