Victim in fatal oil truck crash remembered as family guy
Apr. 25—Wallace "Wally" Fauquet III was a blue collar guy driving an oil truck, sometimes seven days a week, to provide for a family he loved fiercely.
It's the way family of the 42-year-old Gales Ferry man described Fauquet, who died in a fiery wreck on Interstate 95 South on the Gold Star Memorial Bridge Friday. State police said the McCarthy Heating Oil Service rolled over and erupted in flames after striking a vehicle that had gotten a flat tire and stopped in the right lane of the bridge. The cause of the accident remains the subject of a state police investigation.
McCarthy Heating Oil Service co-owner Kelly McCarthy said Fauquet was headed back to the company's office in Quaker Hill the morning of the crash. He had filled his truck's tank in Groton after completing his morning deliveries.
In a statement provided by sister-in-law Desiree Mills, Fauquet's family mourned the loss of the "fun loving" married father of four while thanking the community for continued support. An online fundraiser had raised more than than $161,000 for the family as of Tuesday evening.
Fauquet had an adult son and daughter and two younger sons, ages 15 and 12.
"His family is overwhelmed with the outpouring of love from the community and they wish to extend their thanks to all," Mills said.
The statement from the family characterized Fauquet as a person who made it "a priority to lend a helping hand." He would always stop when he spotted a disabled vehicle and was on a first name basis with staff members at parts stores "because he was always fixing someone's car," the statement said.
Fauquet, married to his wife Elaine for the past 20 years, was an animal lover who taught his sons "love and compassion for others," the family's statement said. He adopted an abused dog named Beau two years ago and nursed him back to health.
His family said Fauquet bought a camping trailer, fixed it up and spent time at Acorn Acres campground in Bozrah. Acorn Acres manager Priscilla Sherman told The Day she had seen Fauquet and his family every year for the past five years starting in mid-April. He had been at the campground the night before the crash that claimed his life.
Sherman said Fauquet helped keep the grounds cleaned up and always helped out other campers. He was always with his family.
"Really, what made him stand out was everything he did was truly from the heart and very sincere," Sherman said. "He put everybody else first. He would reach out and make people feel welcome. He understands the camping community is an extended family."
McCarthy Heating Oil Service in a statement called Fauquet a "wonderful friend and loyal employee."
Fauquet had worked at the Quaker Hill-based company since July.
"Wally will be greatly missed. His energy and enthusiasm was infectious. Our love and prayers go out to his lovely wife, Elaine, and children," the statement said. "May he rest in peace."
The company thanked everyone who had reached out to express their love and support.
Fauquet previously worked at several other oil companies, including Ledyard-based Anderson Oil Company.
Anderson Oil General Manager Dan Drago said Fauquet worked for the company from about 2018 to 2022. He remembered Fauquet as "a family man who worked his tail off to support his family."
Drago said Friday's crash was a reminder to all oil tank drivers about the dangers out on the road.
"This hits close to home for our guys. It's tough. We all know how much his wife and kids meant to him. It puts things into perspective," Drago said.
