Victor G. Deldin, "Vic," 88, of Meriden, and formerly Thomaston, CT, entered into eternal life peacefully on March 6, 2013. Born on January 15, 1925 in Oradell, NJ to Italian immigrants, Victor and Josephine (DeVoto) Deldin, grew up in Linden, NJ and was drafted at 18 into WWII, serving nearly 3 years as a Private 1st Class, U.S. Army, 313th Infantry, 79th Division. Trained as a machine gunner and made a messenger, he participated in the Invasion of Normandy, landing 2 weeks after D-Day, and marched through Northern France, Germany, and Central Europe. Recently was nominated for the French Legion of Honor Award, for his role in the Liberation of France. After the war became a draftsman, met his wife in Linden, secured a drafting supervisor job at Technicraft (Tech Systems, General Dynamics) in Thomaston, CT, and settled to raise his family. Founding member of the Thomaston Taxpayers Association, and officer in the Democratic Town Committee, he was selected Delegate to former, 6th district Congressman, Toby Moffett. Also elected to the Board of Education for 3 terms, serving 12 years, and responsible for co-writing and securing the federal grant to build a new Thomaston High School in 1985. Communicant of St. Thomas Parish, and although Italian, he enjoyed membership and was treasurer of the H.S. Leiderkranz Society. Loved sports, especially UCONN basketball, and was a die-hard Yankees fan. Upon retiring after 30 years in 1990, he competed in tennis, playing avidly into his early 80s, joined Franciscan Collaborative Care Seniors Program in Meriden, volunteered at the Opera House, and enjoyed hobbies of gardening, woodworking, model airplane building, trips to CT Casinos with friends, and spending time with grandchildren he adored. He was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Laura Deldin Schonhiutt, and his wife, Mary-Louise Deldin, with whom he shared 27 years of marriage. Loving father of Anne Deldin Skrebutenas (Michael) of Niskayuna, NY, and Mary Deldin Nelson (David) of Meriden, CT. Cherished grandfather of Elizabeth, Victoria, Rachel and Sarah Schonhiutt, Lucy and Caroline Skrebutenas, and Michaela, Rosemarie, and John Nelson. Also was survived by his sister, Claudia Kurtyka (Emil) of Toms River, NJ and many nieces and nephews.

Service Information Visitation Sunday March 10, 2013 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM Lyons Funeral Home 46 High Street Thomaston, CT 06787 --> Service Monday March 11, 2013 10:00 AM Saint Thomas Church 1 East Main Street Thomaston, CT 06787 -->