Wayne M. Lillis

Wayne M. Lillis, 76, of Naugatuck, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Waterbury Hospital with his loving family at his side. Wayne was born in Waterbury on October 23, 1946, one of three children of the late Anna (Adamski) and Martin Lillis.

Wayne was an avid outdoorsman, hunting, fishing and trapping; he enjoyed all that nature provided and shared this love with many. Fast cars and a speed boat dotted his younger years. He was a self-taught carpenter and built a log cabin and many woodworking projects for his family. Wayne married young and had his two daughters Joy and Rachel, he was a very loving father who spent time with his girls and showed them so many things, he never said no. His love of animals, especially hunting dogs and training them, brought him much enjoyment. Wayne embodied an unyielding work ethic that he passed to both Joy and Rachel along with so many things that steered their future achievements. Wayne woke every day and was genuinely happy and in a good mood. He always led a very busy and full life. If he liked you he loved you and would always make you smile.
Wayne retired from his lifelong career in manufacturing as a general foreman.
Wayne loved his family with all his heart. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend, and will be missed by all those whose lives he touched. Wayne was a proud patriot and he was also an accomplished marksman and instructor of gun safety classes for pistol permit certification in the Naugatuck area.
Wayne met the love of his life and future wife, Florence (Morton) Lillis, on a blind date and the rest, they say, was history. They hit it off immediately and were the perfect complement to one another. He was a true romantic and together they shared many beautiful years of love and companionship. Wayne was very social, a people-person through and through. His warm and genuine personality and gleaming smile would light up a room. Wayne was kind, generous, and always willing to lend a helping hand wherever needed, even taking care of some of his elderly friends in recent years, despite his own age. You could find Wayne at his daughter’s restaurant helping out and entertaining the patrons with his witty quips and contagious smile. Wayne was quite the chef himself and enjoyed cooking and baking for his family; no doubt where his daughters, Joy and Rachel, got their love for cooking from.

Left to cherish Wayne’s memory is his wife Flo of Naugatuck; his two daughters: Rachel Wilmot of Woodbury and Joy Donaldson of Middlebury; and his three grandsons who were the light of his life: Tyler Wilmot, Jacob Donaldson, and Zachary Donaldson. In addition to his parents, Wayne is predeceased by his brother Richard Lillis and his sister Harriet (Lillis) Whipple.

There are no services at this time. Wayne’s family will be hosting a memorial gathering at a future date. Prospect Memorial / The Palmerie Family Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the Lillis family. You are invited to share a fond memory, photo and words of comfort for Wayne’s family on his Tribute Wall on this website.

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