Rufus L. Lydem, 92, died Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at Gardner Heights Health Care Center, Shelton. He was the husband of Laurentina (Pereira) Lydem. Mr. Lydem was born on July 18, 1919 in Frelighsburg, Quebec, Canada a son of the late Thomas and Amanda (Guilmain) Lydem. Rufus entered the U. S. Army on March 20, 1941 at Ft. Devens, MA. He was in the 1st Cavalry Division and 12th Cavalry Squadron. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He retired after 33 years as a lab technician with Uniroyal Chemical. He was also a member of the VFW Watertown Post #5157. Besides his wife, he leaves a daughter, Debra Lydem-Furey and her husband Christopher of Canterbury, CT; a brother, John P. Lydem of Naugatuck; a sister, Mary P. Metzger of KY and several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter, Sandra Lee Lange. The funeral will leave on Friday at 9:15 a.m. from Lyons Funeral Home, 46 High St., Thomaston and proceed to St. Thomas Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.lyonsfuneralhome.com

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