Walter E. Britton

Walter E. Britton, 81, of Vero Beach, FL and formerly of East Hartford, unexpectedly passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at his home. He was the loving husband for 60 years of Cynthia (Barrett) Britton. Born in Holyoke, MA, a son of the late Edward and Bertha (Murphy) Britton, he had resided in the Manchester/East Hartford area for most of his life prior to moving to Vero Beach full-time over two years ago. He had been spending his winters in Florida for over 25 years. He was a graduate of Manchester High School, Class of 1952 and attended the University of Connecticut. Prior to his retirement, he was employed for 37 years by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, East Hartford, retiring as the Area 2 Supervisor. He also owned and operated Britton-O'Connell Electrolysis in East Hartford until his retirement in 1991. Walter was a former member of the Knights of Columbus, East Hartford and was an avid reader who enjoyed maintaining and swimming in his swimming pool. Most of all, he was a proud grandfather who loved spending time with his twelve grandchildren by reading to them and attending and supporting their activities. Along with his beloved wife, Cynthia, Walter is survived by two sons, Walter J. Britton and his wife Kim, and Robert E. Britton all of South Windsor; four daughters, Mary Ann O'Connell and her husband Kevin, of East Hartford, Therese L. Stanford and her husband James, of Vero Beach, FL, Judith B. Britton and her spouse Laurie Westergren, of Vero Beach, FL, Cynthia A. Hallinan and her husband Paul, of Bolton; ten grandchildren, Shawn Herrick and his wife Meg, Taylor Stanford and her husband Riley, Michael O'Connell, Joseph, Nicholas, and Hannah Latina, Amanda, Jenna, and Sara Britton, Rylee Britton; two great-grandchildren, Kayleigh and Madison. He also leaves two sisters, Elizabeth Daugherty and her husband Glen, of West Hartford, Patricia Bragdon and her husband Richard, of Manchester; several nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Besides his parents, Walter was predeceased by two grandchildren, Charles R. Herrick, III and Erin O'Connell; and two sisters, Frances Lawler of Farmington and Viola Hogan-Lawler of Vero Beach, FL. Funeral service will be Friday (September 11th) at 9:45 am from the D'ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11 am at St. James Church, 896 Main Street, Manchester. Burial will be at St. James Cemetery, Broad Street, Manchester. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Thursday (September 10th) from 4-7 pm. Memorial contributions in Walter's name may be made to K. O'Connell and M. Damiano Education Fund, C/O Farmington Bank, Attn: Maureen Kennedy, 669 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury, CT 06033. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.