John Gay Greenlaw Sr, 90, of Bristol passed away suddenly on Thursday (February 23, 2012). John was born in St. Andrews, by-the-Sea, New Brunswick, Canada, on October 29, 1921 and was one of eleven children of Frank Howard and Ethel (Holt) Greenlaw.

He was pre-deceased by MaryJane (Nold) Greenlaw, his loving wife of 64 years.

John served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII, and thereafter he and MaryJane were married and settled in Bristol.

He worked for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft for 42 years before enjoying an active retirement which included trips throughout New England and abroad, as well as considerable time spent at the family cottage in Old Saybrook.

A son of the maritime fishing industry, John was also a gifted ice skater, quick with a song, and a big fan of UConn sports.

An avid ham radio operator (K1EZZ), John was a longtime member of the Amateur Radio Relay League as well as the Bristol Repeaters and the local Civil Defense.

Recently he enjoyed time spent dancing with new friends at the Bristol Senior Center.

A semi-pro hockey player in Canada, he enjoyed watching the Hartford Whalers practices and was even invited to skate with the team after their practice.

Family members who will miss the one-of-a-kind twinkle in his eye are his children and their spouses: Thomas and Robin Greenlaw of Higganum, Kathryn and Michael Robinson of Bristol, John Jr. and Barbara Greenlaw of Bristol, Michael and Julie Greenlaw of Redmond, WA, and Christopher and Faith Greenlaw of Marlborough. John also leaves a sister and brother in law, Alberta and Douglas Chambers and brother, Charles Delmar Greenlaw, all of New Brunswick, Canada; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Special mention goes also to his long-time family caregiver, Nanuli Jikidze.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday (February 28, 2012) at 10 AM at St. Joseph Cemetery, 522 Terryville Ave., Bristol. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the VFW National Home for Children, 3573 S. Waverly Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI, 48827 (vfwnationalhome.org) Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, is in care of the arrangements.