Alan Richard Mockus, 66, beloved husband of Deborah (Plimpton) Mockus, died March 31, 2012 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Born in Hartford on June 8, 1945 he was a son of the late Edward T. and Catherine (Clark) Mockus. Alan grew up in South Glastonbury and graduated from Glastonbury High School in 1963. As a youth, he was an outstanding bass drummer in the Westbrook Ancient Fife and Drum Corp. Beginning as a teenager, he was a seasonal worker at Bussa Orchard in South Glastonbury and came to know everything there was to know about trees. At the age of 20, Alan enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in San Diego, where he purchased his first motorcycle. He served as an Aviation Ordnanceman (AO) on the aircraft carrier USS Kittyhawk during the Vietnam War. After his discharge, Alan returned to Glastonbury where he was employed by the Parks and Recreation Department for 27 years, retiring as foreman in 1996. After his retirement, Alan and Deborah moved from South Windsor to Athens, Georgia, where Alan worked as Head of the Parks and Recreation Department in Winterville, GA. They moved to Alto, GA in 2002 and Alan retired in 2007. Alan was very proud of his service to the country and reached out to fellow veterans wherever he met them. A skilled and safe rider, Alan found peace and relaxation riding his Harley. He and Deborah rode as far as New Hampshire, Key West, and to Sturgis, SD for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Alan also enjoyed visits to Watkins Glen to watch Formula One racing with his brother Edward and a group of friends. He was an active member of the Georgia Lady Bulldogs Basketball Team Booster Club and a member of the Patriot Guard Riders. Affable and outgoing, Alan will be deeply missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Deborah; his brother Edward Mockus of South Glastonbury; his sister Louise Neary and her husband James of South Windsor; niece and goddaughter, Melissa Vaughn (Garfield) of South Windsor; nieces, Cindy Spada (Chris) of Glastonbury, Louise C. Neary and Samantha Gonzalez (Michael) of South Windsor, Debbie Levesque (Randy) of Bloomfield, and Donna Karlson of Manchester; nephew Donald Harris (Karen Tracy) of Rocky Hill, nine grandnieces and one grandnephew and a host of other relatives, including Deborah’s family, her parents Margaret and Edward Plimpton; and siblings Kathleen (John) Carrier, and Edward (Nancy) Plimpton and their families, all of Massachusetts. He will be fondly remembered by many dear and kind friends in Georgia who have been a great support to the family at this time, especially Tobie and Doug Haynie of Arcade, Georgia, as well as good friends Karen and Richard Burness of Ellington, CT. He was predeceased by a sister-in-law, Margaret “Peggy” Mockus of South Glastonbury and a niece, Darlene Williams of Manchester. Calling hours will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, April 26 at Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 50 Naubuc Avenue, Glastonbury, followed by a wake service with military honors at 7 p.m. On Easter Sunday, family members planted an apple tree in South Windsor in memory of Alan and in recognition of his time at the orchard and skill in caring for apple trees. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you plant an apple tree in memory of Alan. To extend online condolences or for further information, please visit farleysullivan.com.
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