The Life of Lionel Hill Seccombe

Mr. Seccombe dies; owned Ansonia store

ANSONIA - Lionel H. Seccombe, 78, owner of Seccombe's Men's Shop, 171 Main St., died today after a long illness.

He was the husband of Louise Burne Seccombe of 107 Westfield Avenue.

Mr. Seccombe had been in the men's clothing business in Ansonia for more than 53 years.  His first store was opened in 1924 at 52 Main St.  He moved his business to its current location in his own building in 1950.

Besides a clothing store, Mr. Seccombe began a cleaning and pressing shop with his brother, Stewart, in 1925.

Mr. Seccombe, a lifelong resident of Ansonia, was born Sept. 15, 1899, son of the late Charles and Jane Seccombe.

Active in many business and civic organizations in the community, Mr. Seccombe was a corporator of the Savings Bank of Ansonia.

Mr. Seccombe was a veteran member of the Eagle Hose Hook and Ladder Company.  His store on Main Street contains a small fire museum in which is displayed collection of fire-fighting equipment.

He was a past president of the Retail Merchant's Branch, the former Ansonia Chamber of Commerce, and past president of the Pine Grove Cemetery Association.  He was a member of George Washington Lodge, AF and AM, Ansonia Lodge of Elks and Sons of St. George.

Besides his widow, he survived by three sons, Lionel H. Seccombe, Jr., of North Kingston, R.I., and Charles T. Seccombe and Donald A. Seccombe, both of Ansonia; a daughter, Mrs. Edward (Laura) Lane of Ansonia; two brothers, Fernleigh Seccombe of Buffalo, N.Y., and Stewart Seccombe of Ansonia; a sister, Mrs. E.H. Johnson of Ansonia; 13 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements which were being made by the Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 West Church St., Seymour were incomplete.