Wallace Joseph Burtis

Wallace Joseph Burtis, 89, of Colchester and formerly of Moodus/East Haddam, passed away Thursday (May 11, 2017) at Middlesex Hospital Hospice, Middletown, CT.  Born September 13, 1927 in Mt. Vernon, NY, he was the son of the late Herman LeRoy “Roy” and Katherine (Aspenleiter) Burtis, and brother of the late LeRoy Albert “Buddy” Burtis.  In January of 1945, at the age of 17, Wallace enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving proudly during World War II aboard both the U.S.S. O’Hare and Watts before his honorable discharge at the rank of Seaman First Class in July of 1946.  On October 9, 1948, he married his high school sweetheart, Jane W. Northrop, in Mt. Vernon, NY. Jane and Wally raised their family in Mt. Vernon and Yorktown, NY, before retiring in Moodus, CT in 1984. Together they shared 63 years of marriage before she predeceased him on August 2, 2012.  Wallace had worked as a Firefighter/Chief’s Aide for the Mt. Vernon Fire Dept. from 1950 to 1984 before retiring to Moodus in 1984.  Wally and Jane together became active members of the community. He was a member of the East Haddam Lions, Baron-Smith-Golec American Legion Post 156 and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.  He also worked at Moodus Lumber, St. Bridget's and Sunrise Resort.  Wally was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.  He is survived by three children and their spouses, Robert (Bev) of New Jersey, William (June) of Colchester, Elizabeth (Robert Rohle) of NY; grandchildren, Amanda (Brian Sovyrda), Daniel (Marie), Michael (Casey), Nicholas (Anthony), Jessica (Amrit Misra) Christopher (Katelynn), Kevin, Bryan, Nicolas; and his great granddaughter, Grace.  Friends may call 1-3 PM Sunday (May 21st) at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd., Colchester followed by a Memorial Service with military honors at 3 PM.  Wally will be laid to rest with Jane at a private service at the State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Christian Life Chapel, P.O. Box 91, Colchester, CT 06415, or the charity of your choice.