Obituary of George P. Looby
George P. Looby, DVM
1928–2025
George P. “Bud” Looby, DVM, of Woodstock, CT, passed away on December 28, 2025, at the age of 97. The son of the late George F. Looby and Laura (Anderson) Looby of Middletown, he is survived by his wife of 66 years, Carolyn (Harmon) Looby; his son Timothy Looby; his daughter, Jennifer Mansfield, and her husband, Craig; his daughter-in-law, Lynn Looby; his two granddaughters, Emily Riemer and her husband, Hans, and Laura Looby; and his sister-in-law, Denise Roberts. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews. George was predeceased by his sister, Janet Ziegler, and his son, Todd Looby.
Born in Old Saybrook, CT, during the depths of the Great Depression, George spent his early childhood in the Centerbrook section of Essex. When his family was forced to give up their business and seek work elsewhere, they settled in Middletown. After graduating from Middletown High School, George went on to the University of Connecticut, majoring in Dairy Production.
Following his graduation from UConn in June 1950, George enlisted in the U.S. Army that fall, where he trained as a Meat and Dairy Hygiene Technician in the Veterinary Service. After completing a two-year tour of duty, he continued his education at Kansas State University, earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1958.
George began his veterinary career with Dr. N.W. Pieper in Middletown, where he practiced for eleven years. In 1971, he founded the Woodstock Veterinary Clinic in Woodstock, CT, providing care for animals of all species. The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University opened up new avenues for his dedication to teaching and clinical service. George developed the Tufts Ambulatory Veterinary Clinic in Woodstock, introducing students to farm practice, and later served as the Director of the Large Animal Hospital at Tufts in Grafton, MA. After three years in hospital leadership, he returned to ambulatory service where he continued until his retirement in 1994. In the years that followed, he remained active, working part-time as a relief veterinarian in several practices across northeastern Connecticut for many years.
George’s professional leadership included President of the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association, President of the New England Veterinary Medical Association, Connecticut’s delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association for several terms, and the revising author of the book Backyard Livestock.
For his community, he served as a Fire Commissioner for the Westfield Fire Department, President and Program Director of Woodstock Lions Club, Chairman of the Woodstock Brunn Barn Committee (a museum of New England Agriculture), member of the Woodstock Inland Wetlands Commission, and a life member of the Woodstock Agricultural Society.
The family wishes to thank George’s caregiver, Jackie Dolland, for her assistance and kindness. There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will take place at the Miner Street Cemetery in Middletown, CT, in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Woodstock Lions Club or Woodstock Historical Society.