Paul B. Altermatt

ALTERMATT, Paul B. Paul B. Altermatt, 78, of New Milford, former State Insurance Commissioner, past president of the Connecticut State Bar Association and lawyer, died Thursday (September 4, 2008), at his home. He was the husband of Ann Taylor Altermatt. Born in New Haven, April 18, 1930, Mr. Altermatt lived in New Milford most of his life, attending the one room school in Northville for six years and graduating from New Milford High School, class of 1947. He received his BA degree from Wesleyan University in 1951. As a Marine officer, he was on active duty from 1951 through 1953, serving in Korea and thereafter in the Marine Corps Reserve. Mr. Altermatt received his law degree from Georgetown Law School in 1957. After practicing law a short time in Muncie, Indiana, he returned to New Milford in 1958 to join Henry B. Anderson in the practice of law. The two were law partners for over forty years, first in Anderson and Altermatt and later in Cramer and Anderson. Appointed Insurance Commissioner by Governor Thomas Meskill, Mr. Altermatt served from 1971 through 1974. He was president of the Connecticut Bar Association in 1986-1987, served on the American Bar Association House of Delegate, was a member of the American Law Institute and was a Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. The Town of New Milford was always high in Mr. Altermatt's interests. He served as town attorney for New Milford and Bridgewater in the 1960's and on many town boards including the Board of Education and Sewer Commission. He was the first president of the United Way and a trustee of Canterbury School. Mr. Altermatt was a member of the Lions Club and an honorary member of Water Witch No. 2 Fire Department. In recent years, Mr. Altermatt was President and Director of the Ellen Knowles Harcourt Foundation and a member of Meserve Foundation selection committee. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Francis Xavier Church, serving as a trustee and chairman of the finance committee. He was a part time farmer, and an avid hunter and fisherman. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his wife and family, and especially his beloved grandchildren. In addition to his wife of 51 years, he is survived by daughter Mary E. and her husband Scott R. Wilton and their children, Sara, Kyle and Jake Wilton of New Milford; son Paul A. and his wife Christen M. Altermatt and their children, Nicholas Yohn, Brandon Yohn, Josh Yohn, Paul H. Altermatt and Emma Altermatt of Alpharetta, GA.; son Mark T. and Joyce L. Altermatt and their children, Jessica Armstrong, Daniel and Caitlyn Altermatt of Bolton; son Thomas D. and his wife Maureen M. Altermatt and their sons, Kevin and Anthony Altermatt of New Milford; son, John F. and his wife Erin S. Altermatt and their children , Elizabeth and Benjamin Altermatt of Huntington, Vermont. He is also survived by two brothers, Howard G. Altermatt and family of Bangkok, Thailand and Rev. Gregory M. Altermatt of New Haven. Mr. Altermatt was predeceased by a sister, Ann Altermatt Jones in 1997. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, September 8, at 10 a.m., at St. Francis Xavier Church, New Milford, CT. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery, New Milford. Friends may call on Sunday, September 7, from 4-8 p.m. at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge Street, New Milford, CT. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorial contributions be made to the non-profit group, MVP-SOS, to benefit New Milford children. Contributions may be sent to: MVP-SOS, c/o Dumas Estate Mgmt., 28 Old Park Lane Road, New Milford, CT. 06776