Paul Anthony Tranchida Sr.

Groton - Paul Anthony Tranchida Sr., 97, of Groton, died peacefully with family at his side early Saturday, April 6, 2013, after a brief stay at The Westerly Hospital.

Paul married Lucia "Lucy" Concetta Fazzina on Sept. 25, 1937, and they spent the next 75 years creating and enjoying their family together. Lucy survives him. They have been blessed to live together in their home until Paul's passing.

Paul was born on July 20, 1915, at home in what was known as "the Fort" section of New London, to Vito and Catherina (Bonnano) Tranchida. Paul was part of the generation most affected by the Great Depression and as the eldest of eight children, he was taken out of school in the eighth grade to work alongside his father on a Works Progress Administration project so he could help support the family. As a teen he also worked with the Civil Conservation Corps on projects in southeastern Connecticut, including the sea wall at Rocky Neck State Park, and on Fishers Island, N.Y.

Paul worked in the foundry at Electric Boat in Groton for 40 years where he trained many a foundryman in his capacity as a master molder. In his retirement, he often spoke proudly of being selected to make the torpedo tube doors of the USS Nautilus, the nation's first nuclear powered submarine.

"Those are my doors," he said many times in a prideful, though not boastful, way. Paul was honored to be included in the June 2012 commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the keel laying of the Nautilus, where he was introduced alongside former executives of the company and was presented with a Nautilus cap.

Paul and Lucy enjoyed their retirement years, traveling to see family in Sicily and to many other locations in Europe and across the U.S. He bowled and golfed with the EB retiree leagues, preferring to walk the course even at the age of 90. He was a member of the Shennecossett Golf Club, the Groton Senior Center, and the Groton Lodge of Elks.

But most of all he liked to sit around the table when family visited.

"Let's have a bite" he'd say soon after any visitor arrived. He was a humble man of few words, with a warm smile and a hearty laugh. He was never comfortable as the center of attention, preferring to watch from the side as his family enjoyed one another's company. Paul's grandchildren were fortunate to hear the stories of his time spent helping his father, who fished out of New London, of life during the Depression and World War II, and his eyewitness accounts of the 1938 Hurricane, which he and Lucy weathered during their first year of marriage. He also loved to talk about playing in the Thanksgiving Day football games between the Shaw Street and Fort neighborhoods in New London. Paul attended as many of his grandchildren's games as he could, and climbed the bleachers at Stonington High School into his 90s to watch his two youngest grandsons play football.

In addition to his wife, Paul is survived by three sons and their wives, Paul A. Jr. and Cathy of Ledyard and Bedford Hills, N.Y., and their children, Shainna (Bill) and Micha; Ronald T. and Karen of North Salem, N.Y., and their children, Rob (Ali), Jamie, Ryan and Jesse; and David V. and Pamela of Pawcatuck, and their children, Adam and Michael. He also is survived by his great-granddaughter, Charlotte Olivia Squires. Additionally, Paul is survived by his sister, Josephine Bruno of Pawcatuck, and his brothers, Tom of New London and Bart of Florida.

He was predeceased by his sister, Rose; and brothers, Joe, Mike, and Dominic.

The family wishes to thank The Westerly Hospital staff, and physicians Steven Yolen, Jeffrey Christian, and Christopher Jalbert, for their skill, compassion and guidance, and all those involved with the creation of the hospice suites at The Westerly Hospital provided by the Alfred M. Roberts Jr. Charitable Foundation and Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island.

Additionally, the family wishes to thank Marcella Cari of Westerly, who provided care in Paul's fmal months and continues to care for Lucy as part of the family.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10, at Sacred Heart Church, 56 Sacred Heart Drive, Groton. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Westerly Hospital Foundation, the American Cancer Society, or Sacred Heart Church.