Paul "Pumpkin" Hewitt, 58, of Sandy Hook, died January 31, with his family by his side. Born April 5, 1957, he was the son of the late John Hewitt and Laura Hewitt, of Sandy Hook.

As a young boy, his mother lovingly called him Pumpkin, a nickname that stuck with him for life and that fittingly came to represent his child-like joy for living in the moment.

Mr Hewitt was a graduate of Andrew Warde High School in Fairfield who went on to establish a career in the cable industry, as a lineman. He always went where the work took him and, after Hurricane Katrina, spent several months helping restore service in the storm-ravaged south.

In the summer, he could usually be found on his boat on Lake Zoar. He was an avid water skier, and even tried his luck on the ski jump that locals will remember as a fixture along the upper stretch of the lake. He passed on his skills and love for the water to two generations of family. Mr Hewitt was also a talented billiards player, and he enjoyed gambling at Connecticut's casinos.

A handy man of sorts, he was a generous spirit who was always willing to help a family member in need - even if he did not know what he was doing. His fun-loving nature and goofiness made him a favorite of the children in the family.

In addition to his loving mother, his siblings, Ricky Hewitt and his wife, Mindy, Laureen Collins and her husband, Steve, and Kathleen Colangelo, all of Sandy Hook, John Hewitt and his wife, Donna, of Lakeland, Fla., and Diane Massafra and her husband, Carl, of Shelton survive Mr Hewitt. He will also be missed by a large extended family, especially his nieces and nephews and their children.

There will be no calling hours. Friends are invited to join the family for a celebration of his life, Thursday, February 4, from 4 to 7 pm, at Roberto's Restaurant, 505 Main Street, Monroe.

Memorial donations may be made to Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 6 Washington Circle, Newtown CT 06470  or at .www.newtown-ambulance.org