Obituary of John H. Tiedemann Sr.

John H. "Sonny" Tiedemann Sr. (Lt. NHFD, ret.) 92 of New Haven passed away October 26, 2021 at home peacefully with his children by his side. He was born May 23, 1929 in New Haven to Harry and Charlotte (Clifford) Tiedemann. John is survived by his five children, John Tiedemann Jr. (Stephanie) of Wallingford, Debbie Gauvin (Phillip) of East Haven, David Tiedemann (Alicia) of East Haven, Timmy Tiedemann of East Haven and Kurt Tiedemann (Virginia) of Clinton . He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren, John Tiedemann III (Kim), Stephen Tiedemann (Chelsea), Lori Beutel, Phillip Gauvin (Stefanie), Kevin Gauvin, Danielle Santagata (Mike), Katie DeCaprio (Nick), Kellie Mullally (Mike), David Tiedemann Jr., Dana Moras (Mike), Timothy Tiedemann Jr. (Samantha), Michael Tiedemann, Nicolas Tiedemann, Kurt Tiedemann Jr., Kelsey Riegert (Elizabeth) and 26 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Elizabeth (McAuliffe) Tiedemann (2006), siblings, Harry Tiedemann, Anne Kronberg, Irene Grant and a great granddaughter, Tessa Marie Moras. John held several jobs growing up in New Haven from a lifeguard at Lighthouse Point Park to a commercial pilot at Tweed N.H. Airport. He later enlisted in the Army Air Corps and after receiving an Honorable Discharge, he worked part-time for the Town of North Haven as a surveyor while working full-time as a Lieutenant in the New Haven Fire Department. John retired from both positions after 28 years of dedicated service. John was an avid golfer, enjoyed watching the UCONN Woman’s basketball team, he was a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox and he loved feeding the birds and squirrels and Koi fish in his backyard. Family will receive friends from 4 to 7 P.M. on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home (Clancy Funeral Home), 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 3 at 11 A.M. in St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish at the Church of St. Bernadette, 385 Townsend Ave., New Haven CT with Committal and Full Military Honors to follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery, New Haven. The Tiedemann family would like to thank the VNA Community Healthcare & Hospice of Guilford and all of John’s wonderful neighbors and friends for their love, help and support. Donations may be made to the Choroidermia Research Foundation, 23 East Brundreth Street, Springfield, MA 01109 or VNA Community Healthcare & Hospice of Guilford, 753 Boston Post Rd., Suite 200, Guilford CT 06437. John was a devoted and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend who will be missed by all.