Walter Latawiec

Mystic — Walter M. “Sonny” Latawiec, 88, beloved husband of 61 years to Irene (Herrighty) Latawiec, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, surrounded by family.

Born in Linden, N.J., he was the son of the late Joseph and Pauline (Gregory) Latawiec, and lived in Mystic since 1980.

He was a procurement manager with Northeast Utilities, retiring in 1994.

In his younger years, Walter was an exceptional baseball player, earning the opportunity to be signed by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Walter was a U.S. Navy veteran during Korea, and a member of the Deslant Destroyers baseball team, winning the fleet championship in 1952. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and enjoyed woodworking and sketching.

In addition to his wife, he leaves his three children, Karen Perry and her husband, Alan, of Virginia Beach, Va.; Sallie Latawiec of Stoddard, N.H.; and Thomas Latawiec and his wife, Melissa, of Pawcatuck; a brother, Henry “Babe” Latawiec; and sister, Helen Duchlinski, both of N.J.; seven grandchildren, Rima Shearin and her husband, Travis, Alanda Perry Jones and her husband, Matthew, Kylie, Jackson and Tucker Latawiec and Ryan and Zachary Wing; a great-grandchild, Jack Travis Shearin; a brother-in-law, Michael Herrighty; two sisters-in-law, Sarah Seliga and Veronica Kissel; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

His family will receive friends from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18 at the Mystic Funeral Home on Route 1 in Mystic followed by a funeral mass at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Church, 32 East Main St., Mystic. Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery, River Rd., Old Mystic. A reception will follow at the VFW on Route 1 in Mystic beginning at noon.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Patrick Church in Mystic.