Obituary of Eugene Gorton
Eugene (Fred) Gorton, age 82, of Stratford, died on Monday, September 13, 2010 at home surrounded by his loving family. Born in Mt. Vernon, NY and raised in Liberty, NY, he was a son of the late Edwin and Catherine MacKinnon Gorton. He was a member of the Stratford High School Class of 1946 and received his Bachelors of Science Degree from the University of Bridgeport in 1950. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Dad retired from the State of Connecticut where he was an economic development agent and was instrumental in bringing companies such as Boehringer Ingelheim, Union Carbide, Lego, Index Corp., as well as many others to the state. Before moving to Lordship eleven years ago, Fred was a long time Trumbull resident and as a founding member of the Trumbull Council of Concerned Citizens working along with his friend Ralph Okrepkie helped save and preserve the Pequonnock Valley for all to enjoy today as public land. Fred was a past Chaplain of the VFW Post 9460 of Stratford and member of the American Legion and VFW Post, both of Trumbull.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 59 years, Anita Ruth Grillo Gorton, his children, Eugene Gorton and his wife Debbie of Trumbull, Bryon Gorton M.D. and his wife Peggy of OFallon, Illinois, Glenn Gorton and his wife Marianne of Louisville, KY, Nancy McClinch and her husband Terry of Fairfield, Wayne Gorton and his wife Jody of Tuscon, Arizona, Gary Gorton and his wife Ann of Trumbull, Dean Gorton of Stratford, Scott Gorton and his wife Carolyn of Trumbull, Jeff Gorton and his wife Karen of Trumbull, Greg Gorton and his wife Carmen of Stratford and Keith Gorton and his wife Jung of Pensacola, FL, a brother, Donald Gorton of California, as well as thirty six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son, Ronald Paul Gorton and two sisters, Claire Kelly and Dolores Watson.
The family would like to thank the wonderful people at St. Vincents Medical Center, the Stratford VNA, Vitas Hospice Care, and Elite Nursing Care for the compassion and respect they showed for our father.
Friends are invited to meet directly at Our Lady of Peace Church, 230 Park Blvd., Stratford, on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at 10 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with military honors will follow in Long Hill Burial Grounds, Trumbull. Friends may call on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Catherines Academy, 760 Tahmore Drive, Fairfield, CT 06825; a catholic school for children and young adults with mental disability which is attended by his granddaughter Catherine.