Walter E. Britton, 81, of Vero Beach, formerly of East Hartford, unexpectedly passed away peacefully on Sept. 5, 2015, at his home.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Cynthia (Barrett) Britton; two sons, Walter J. Britton (Kim) and Robert E. Britton all of South Windsor; four daughters, Mary Ann O’Connell (Kevin) of East Hartford, Therese L. Stanford (James), of Vero Beach, Judith B. Britton (Laurie Westergren), of Vero Beach, Cynthia A. Hallinan (Paul), of Bolton; 10 grandchildren, Shawn Herrick (Meg), Taylor Stanford (Riley), Michael O’Connell, Joseph, Nicholas, and Hannah Latina, Amanda, Jenna, and Sara Britton, Rylee Britton; two great-grandchildren, Kayleigh and Madison; two sisters, Elizabeth Daugherty (Glen), of West Hartford, Patricia Bragdon (Richard), of Manchester; several nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Besides his parents, Walter was predeceased by two grandchildren, Charles R. Herrick, III and Erin O’Connell; and two sisters, Frances Lawler of Farmington and Viola Hogan-Lawler of Vero Beach.
Born in Holyoke, Mass., a son of the late Edward and Bertha (Murphy) Britton, he had resided in the Manchester/East Hartford area for most of his life prior to moving to Vero Beach full-time more than two years ago.
He had been spending his winters in Florida for more than 25 years. He was a graduate of Manchester High School, Class of 1952 and attended the University of Connecticut. Prior to his retirement, he was employed for 37 years by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, East Hartford, retiring as the Area 2 Supervisor.
He also owned and operated Britton-O’Connell Electrolysis in East Hartford until his retirement in 1991. Britton was a former member of the Knights of Columbus, East Hartford and was an avid reader who enjoyed maintaining and swimming in his swimming pool. Most of all, he was a proud grandfather who loved spending time with his 12 grandchildren by reading to them and attending and supporting their activities.
Memorial contributions in Walter’s name may be made to K. O’Connell and M. Damiano Education Fund, C/O Farmington Bank, Attn: Maureen Kennedy, 669 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury, CT 06033. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.