John I. Sears
Lifelong member of Grace Baptist Church

WATERBURY - God called Mr. John I. Sears, 104 years old, home on Nov. 16, 2012. Mr. Sears was a resident of Abbott Terrace Health Care Center.

Mr. Sears was born on Oct. 12, 1908, in Waterbury, son of Kater E. Sears and Isa Welch Sears. He was the fourth born of nine children.

John is survived by one sister, Mrs. Nellie Clapp. His son, John Lamont Sears; his sisters, Lucille Sears Hoppins, Annie Gatling, Stella Sears, Beulah Byrd, Virginia Ward and Edith Peterson, and a brother, James Sears, predeceased him.

John was an Army veteran. He enlisted in 1941 for a short period at age 34. He re-enlisted during WWII. His tours of duty included Scotland, England, North Africa and Italy. John received decorations and citations such as the American Defense Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal.

He was employed by Scoville Manufacturing Company for 45 years and the Rolling and Wire Mill, retiring in 1973.

Besides his sister, he is survived by several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Sears was a lifelong member of Grace Baptist Church. He loved his church and his hometown. He would often walk the streets of downtown Waterbury dressed to perfection in his three-piece suits, greeting everyone with his pleasant attitude and courteous disposition.

The family would like to thank the staff at Abbott Terrace Health Care Center, especially 2 East, and the VNA Health Care of Waterbury for the care and compassion shown during his stay.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 65 Kingsbury St., Waterbury. The family will receive friends at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial with full military honors will be held in New Pine Grove Cemetery. The family will also receive friends at 222 F, Oakville Ave., Waterbury, home of his niece, Kathleen Peterson-Mitchell.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home, 26 Waterbury Road, Prospect, CT 06712.

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