Elliot Wilson Sr.

Wilson Sr, Elliot J.
Elliot James Wilson Sr., age 93, of Stratford, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2015. Elliot was born on July 3, 1921, to the late Cleveland and Anna Kochiss Wilson, and was a lifelong Stratford resident. He lived in the house he built in Stratford before enlisting in the Marines at the start of WWII. He held the rank of Staff Sergeant and was also a SeaBee serving in the South Pacific, and experienced some trying times. He was married for 58 years to the late Lillian Klein Wilson and had three children. His wife, Lillian, called him an artist in wood because he could build anything out of wood. For more than 50 years, Elliot made custom kitchen cabinets for builders in Milford, Stratford, Bridgeport, Trumbull, Orange and Fairfield. He also made boxes, stakes, sound proof booths, construction horses, furniture, bird houses and feeders, plant stands and wishing wells. A very hard worker, he always said he never worked a day in his life because he loved his job and considered it play. Elliot would often give his little stools and bird houses away to anyone who came to visit his shop. When he had appointments at the VA Hospital, he would frequently bring the doctors and nurses something he built. Known for his wonderful sense of humor, Elliot would often tell funny stories with a straight face. He loved golf, and as a youngster he caddied at the Mill River Country Club and was very proud to win the Caddie's Club Championship by shooting under par. He is survived by his devoted son, Elliot J. Wilson Jr., and his wife, Valerie, of Shelton; two loving daughters, Sharon Wilson of Simsbury, and Jill Nedorostek and her husband, Jack, of Port Orange, Fla. He is also survived by two grandsons, Allan Nedorostek of DeLand, Fla., and Kevin Cafurello of Shelton; as well as one granddaughter, Lisa Muller and her husband, Julian, of Cheshire; six great-grandchildren; his loving niece, Rosemarie Ribas, of Stratford; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. An online guestbook is available at www.NewEnglandCremation.com. To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.NewEnglandCremation.com.