Clarence "Ky" Holt, 81 of Pawcatuck, formerly of Mystic, passed away Friday afternoon at his home.
Ky was born in Mystic on November 22, 1929, one of 12 children to Thomas Merrill Holt and Grace E (Beauchamp) Holt. He was raised in Mystic, and attended local schools. He was employed as a machine operator at the former Sonoco products plant in Mystic for 21 years. Later he worked at Pfizers in Groton and retired after 25 years.
He was married to Frances "Betty" Holt on June 30, 1956. She passed away on November 24, 1992. In August of 1993 he met Patricia O'Rouke Schafer, his loving lifelong companion of 17 years.
Ky enjoyed fishing, hunting, kayaking, auctions, yard sales, playing cards, bingo, horse shoes, sports (The Women Huskies), and watching westerns and war films. Family was very important to him and he loved family gatherings and picnics, Superbowl parties (The Patriots).
He is survived by Patricia O'Rouke Schafer, his daughter Cheryl Platz of Oakdale and her husband Doug, grandson Dougie; Daughter Delilah "Dot" Kieffer of Groton and her husband Tom,and grandchildren Brent Michael Gannetta of SF, Elizabeth Marie (Holly) Gannetta and great grandson Dillan of Washington, grandson Kenneth Clarence (Carrie) Gannetta of MD, grandson Kenneth Armand (Michelle) Holt and great grandsons Nathaniel and Nikolas; his stepchildren Karen (Lawrence)Coates of Maine, Brien (Louise)O'Rourke of RI, Maurice O'Rourke the 3rd of RI, Shawn O'Rourke of Texas, Kelley Gentile and Matt Sabanski of Lisbon, Patrick(Sonia)O'Rourke of Pawcatuck, Sylvia(Albert)Little of Norwich, and grandchildren Amy, Jason, Jamie, Bryan, Tyler, Justin,Stephanie,Bailey,Patrick,Emily,Rashad,and his great-grandchildren Zachary, Ryan, Ariana, Aiden and Vincent; his former son-in-law Mike Gannetta Sr.of Lisbon, and granddaughters Beth and Catrina; and his brother Russell Holt of Pawcatuck.
He was predeceased by his wife Betty, his son Kenneth Merrill Holt, and his siblings Robert, Alfred, Charles, Fannie Belle, Thomas and Edward; Rose "Tooty" LeBlanc, Marion Gyer, Helen Forrest and Gladys Burdick.
Ky's family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Tuesday from 5-7pm. A service will be conducted at the funeral home on Wednesday at 12 noon. Burial will be in the family plot at Elm Grove Cemetery.
In grateful recognition of the care Ky received from Hospice, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Beacon Hospice (Beaconhospice.com), 12 Roosevelt, Ave., Mystic CT 06355 or The Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center (the-pnc.org), 27 Chase St., Pawcatuck CT 06379.
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