A Fairfield legend who touched so many lives has died.
Patrick Carroll Jr. spent his life giving of himself to help others.
"Dad was a wonderful role model for all of us. Was a very loving father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather," said his son Greg Carroll, who was also a Fairfield police officer.
Patrick Carroll Jr. left quite an impression on everyone he met.
After serving in World War II, he came back to his hometown of Fairfield and became a police officer in 1948.
He retired from the force 30 years later.
"Capt. Pat Carroll. A gem of a human being," said Lt. Michael Paris, with Fairfield police.
Carroll also was the Southport Harbor Master.
There is a framed tribute to him from the Harbor Management Commission at the harbor.
Carroll received numerous awards. He was also part of the FBI national academy.
"At his 99th birthday celebration we gathered together as a department. We did a huge procession from our police department to his house," said Paris.
Carroll had been sick and died last month, just shy of his 101st birthday.
"A guy full of love. A person full of care because he truly did care about the town, about the people he worked with," said Paris.
Carroll founded the Fairfield Police Athletic League and served as president of the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club.
He was married to his late wife Millicent for 60 years.
"Left a legacy with our family to always be good to other people. Service to your community. We were very fortunate to have had him around to share our lives with him for as long as we did," said Greg Carroll.
Carroll's funeral was
last week in Fairfield.
He is buried at Saint Thomas Cemetery.
Former First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick sent the following statement to News 12 Connecticut:
"I feel blessed to have shared special memories with Pat Carroll, a true Fairfield treasure who did so much good in his lifetime."