Ralph W. Lathrop

Ralph W. Lathrop October 25, 1919 - February 27, 2010 Bozrah - Ralph W. Lathrop, 90, husband of Dorothy (Howarth) Lathrop, of Wawecus Hill Rd., died Saturday morning at the Backus Hospital. Born in Norwich on October 25, 1919, he was the son of the late William B. and Lena (Adams) Lathrop. On April 16, 1947, in Norwich he was united in marriage to Dorothy M. (Howarth) Lathrop. Prior to his retirement in 1980 he was the owner and operator of Ralph W. Lathrop Truck Painting & Lettering. Mr. Lathrop was a lifelong member of the Sons of the American Revolution Nathan Hale Branch, Somerset Lodge of Masons AF & AM, Norwich Historical Society, a Mayflower Descendant, an avid sailor and live steam model railroader. He also enjoyed traveling to see draft horse competitions. Surviving is his wife of over 62 years Dorothy (Howarth) Lathrop, a son Jonathan Lathrop and his wife Anne Galliher of Old Lyme, two daughters Janet Cosenza of Saginaw, MI and Joyce Potoff and her husband Alan of Freeland, MI; three grandchildren Christopher Allard and his wife Carole of Canton, MI, Jeffrey Potoff and his wife Helene of Southfield, MI, and Matthew Potoff and his wife Catherine of Ann Arbor, MI, and seven great grandchildren. He was predeceased by two brothers Franklin Lathrop and William Lathrop, and a sister Gertrude Lathrop. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 78 Washington St., Norwich, with burial to follow in Maplewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in his name may be made to either The Sons of the American Revolution, Nathan Hale Branch Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 842, New London, CT 06320, Memorial Organ Fund at Christ Episcopal Church, 78 Wash-ington St., Norwich, CT 06360, or The Norwich Historical Society, 307 Main St., Norwich, CT 0636. Arrangements by the Labenski Funeral Home.