Anthony J. Spinnato Jr.

Groton - Anthony J. Spinnato Jr., 76, of 235 Lestertown Road, Groton and formerly of Eastwood Road, passed away on Saturday evening, Jan. 23, 2010, at Fairview in Groton.

He was born in New London on April 19, 1933, the son of Anthony and Frances (Michalak) Spinnato. The family moved to Groton, and Tony went to Groton schools, graduating from Robert E. Fitch Sr. High in 1951. Tony went to work at Electric Boat as an electrician's helper immediately after graduating. After a year he became a drafting apprentice and retired as an electricial design supervisor.

Tony was a charter and life member of the Groton Lodge of Elks and enjoyed many years of golfing and bowling. He was a long time member of Sacred Heart Church in Groton.

Tony is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marjorie (Solt) Spinnato, a son, Anthony R. Spinnato and his wife, Louisa, and a daughter, Linda Spinnato-Tipton, all of Groton; a brother, Richard Spinnato and his wife, Marie, of Lillian, Ala., and their daughters, Rosanne Cook and Ellice Meinert and their families. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jessica Herrington and her companion, Philip Dugas, Julia Spinnato Pedro and husband, Jay, Anthony J. Spinnato III, and Adam Rowland; his great-grandchildren, Clay, Sky, and Nina Herrington, Marjean Dugas and Adriana Pedro; as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank everyone at Fairview for the wonderful care and compassion Tony received.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at Sacred Heart Church, Groton. Entombment will be in St. Mary Mausoleum, New London. There are no visiting hours.

Byles-Groton Memorial Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be directed to Sacred Heart Church, Sacred Heart Dr., Groton CT 06340.