Obituary of Ballard Hill Cantrell

Ballard Hill Cantrell, 91, of Pine Point, Rowayton, died on Monday, January 30, 2012 at Norwalk Hospital after a brief illness. He was a resident of Rowayton for the past 52 years. Ballard was born in New York City on April 17, 1920, the only child of the late Ruth Ballard and Florent Cantrell. Ballard was raised in Darien and attended local schools. At the age of 14, he began working at Hickory Bluff in Rowayton which began his life-long association there and his love of sailing. Ballard graduated from Darien High School in 1938 and soon began a successful 39 year career with the Southern New England Telephone Company. With advent of World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served in the Communications Division, and worked tracking German U-boats in both Long Island Sound and New York Harbor. He was then needed on the West Coast, where he was sent and stationed at Camp McQuaid in Watsonville, California. In 1949, Ballard married Grace Ruddy of Stamford. She predeceased him in 1995. He was an avid sailor, who enjoyed both long and short trips with family, friends and sometimes alone. He drew great strength from the sea. He was also a self taught wood worker and produced many beautiful, intricate and creative pieces. His hobbies also included fishing and a love of dogs. A kind and gentle man, Ballard was always willing to help others. He is survived by his two sons, Michael Cantrell and his wife, Kay Pennington Cantrell of Madison, and Peter Cantrell, of Rowayton; two grandchildren, Kimberly Cantrell and Christopher Cantrell of Madison. There are no calling hours. A celebration of his live will be held on Sunday February 5, 2012 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Rowayton Yacht Club (Hickory Bluff), 77 Bluff Avenue, Rowayton. The Edward Lawrence Funeral Home in Darien is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Save the Sound, CT Fund for the Environment, 142 Temple Street, 3rd Floor, New Haven, CT 06510. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820