Obituary of George Letis

George Thomas Letis, 95, of 173 Hunt Lane, East Haven, died peacefully on Monday, June 2,2008 at Conn. Hospice. Born in 1913, he was the elder son of the late George and Anna Letis of New Haven. Hew was the beloved husband of the late Mildred Lindhardt Letis to whom he was married for 72 years. In 1935, George moved his family to the Foxon section of town where he built a one room home. He later developed his skills into a carpenter-contractor business which he successfully operated for over 30 years. He was a charter and founding member of the Foxon Co. 3 Volunteer Fire Dept. and the oldest living member of the East Haven Fire Dept. Beginning in 1952, he served on the East Haven Board of Education for 9 years in which time he was elected Chairman of the Building Committee for the contruction of the Deer Run, Gerrish Av. and Hudson Street Schools. Together with his wife Mildred, Goerge was an avid bird watcher and active connservationist. He was a member of the New Haven Bird Club for more than 40 years and served as its president from 1967 to 1969. He devoted years of service to the Nature Conservatory of Conn. in its efforts to protect wildlife and preserve the shoreline of Long Island Sound. George and Mildred traveled througout the U.S., Central America and Europe. They enjoyed the views and always watched for birds. He is survived by his sons, George(Tommy) Letis, Jr. of East Haven and Michael A. Letis of Goshen, daughter-in-law Sandra and Susan, grandchildredn George(Jo-Jo)Letis,Lil, Wendy Lehs Ventura, Michael D. Letis and Megan E. McKinney, great gradchildren, David Ventura, Nicole Letis, Mathew, Graysen and Kate Mckinney. Services will be held in the Clancy Funeral Home, 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven, Thursday morning at 11:00. Friends may call at the funeral home Wedneday from 5-8pm. Burial in East Law Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donanations in the name of George and Mildred Letis to:The New Haven Bird Club Inc, PO Box 9004, New Haven, CT 06532