Powning, Garrett "Pat" V
With great sorrow we announce that our dad, Pat Powning, passed away peacefully in his sleep early Saturday April 9th in Florida. Nearly 96, he wrote that he "lived a good life with many great friends and a loving family". Thoughtful, bright and kind, he was an awesome father and husband. A hard act to follow, our dad soldiered on through adversity with grace and good humor to the end. He was a decent, honorable, multi-talented guy: photographer, cook, knitter of Icelandic sweaters, weaver, masterful woodworker, gardener & white water canoeing enthusiast. Quite the hockey player in his youth, he always enjoyed a good practical joke. We'll miss him terribly. He'll join his beloved wife, Peg, of 59 years in a Collinsville, Ct. hillside cemetery, a spot they chose together.
Born in New Haven, Connecticut of William G. and Grace (Percival) Powning, he served in the U. S. Army Air Corps in World War Il. He graduated from Yale University in 1949. After working for Procter & Gamble in Rhode Island and Benedict Oil in New Haven he was general manager and president of Rowe Coal & Oil Company in Bristol, Connecticut until 1966, followed by a 25 year career at the Travelers Insurance Company
in Hartford, Connecticut, retiring in 1991.
Pat was active in civic and volunteer functions in Bristol, Hebron, Avon and was a volunteer at the Hartford Hospital.
In 2004 the Pownings moved to the Shell Point Retirement Village in Fort Myers, Florida.
He was an active member of the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous for over 55 years.
His wife of 59 years, Margaret (Peg) Wilson Powning died in 2008. Pat and Peg produced and lovingly raised four children: Peter W. Powning (wife, Beth) of Markhamville, New Brunswick, Canada: David G. Powning (wives Jean d. and Pamela d.) of Walpole, Maine: Bethany (Powning) Brandt (husband David) of Encinitas, California: and Andrew J. Powning (husband Te-wei) of Oakland, California: five grandchildren Jacob, Maggi, Joe, Eli and Zane and five great grandchildren Maeve, Bridget, Cammie, Zach and Mae.
A private service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations to UNICEF would be welcomed. If you would care to make a donation in memory of Pat, or would like to share a photo and/or memory, please visit http://obituaries.nationalcremation.com/obituaries/10708089.