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Obituary for Dad / Papa Jerry:
Gerald “Jerry” Lewis Grotton, 83, of Vernon, loving husband for nearly 51 years of the late Elizabeth (Robb) Grotton passed away at home on Thursday, February 11, 2021. Jerry was born on May 30, 1937 in Somerville, Maine, the tenth of 14 children of the late John & Gladys Grotton. He was raised in Unity, ME on his family’s dairy farm. After graduating high school in Unity, Jerry enlisted in the US Navy, proudly serving his country for four years until his honorable discharge in 1960. He moved to Connecticut where he met his soul mate, Betty. They settled in Vernon to raise their family. Prior to his retirement, he was employed as a Firefighter for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft for over 35 years. For many years, he served his community as a member of the Vernon Volunteer Fire Department where he attained the rank of Deputy Chief. Jerry was instrumental in creating the Junior Fire Department and the Rescue Squad. He became very skilled in the art of stained glass, sharing his beautiful creations with family and friends. He was a talented wood carver. He loved learning from his carving friends, and particularly enjoyed making walking sticks and small figures of people. Later in life, he and Betty joined Ellington Baptist Church where he was active as an usher and committee member. He enjoyed spending time at the Vernon & Ellington Senior Citizen Centers where he loved socializing with many friends.
Jerry cherished his four children Elizabeth Werner and her husband Scott of Vernon, Richard Grotton of Mansfield Center, David Grotton and his wife Danielle of Concon, Chile and Scott Grotton and his wife Anthea of Ellington. His five beloved grandchildren, Stephen Grotton, Jarod Werner, Ruby Grotton, Jacob Grotton and Elijah Grotton, his six living siblings, and numerous nieces, nephews, and their families. He was a father figure to his sisters-in-law, Cathy Douglas and Carolyn Storrs. Jerry’s children would like to thank his great friends, Tony & Cookie Liebl of Ellington, for always being there for him. Jerry also leaves behind his faithful dog, Waldo.
A time of visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, February 19, 2021 at the Ellington Baptist Church, 264 Pinney St. in Ellington from 10-11 a.m., with the funeral service to begin at 11 a.m. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Valley Falls Cemetery, Vernon. For those who cannot attend, the funeral service will be live-streamed at 11 am using the following link, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC45TkndINNS866v-pQHU8Kw . Cemetery services can be viewed live on Jerry’s page on the funeral home website following church services from 12:30 - 1:00 pm. Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home has care of the arrangements. The family would like to thank the staff at the Newington and West Haven Veteran’s Hospitals for their devoted care. In lieu of flowers, buy yourself a peony plant this spring, plant it, and think of Jerry every time it blooms. He would like that. Or, for his love of farm animals, memorial contributions may be made to Ray of Light Farm, East Haddam, CT. To leave an online condolence please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com
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