Philip A. COMTOIS

Philip A. Comtois -- July 18, 1922 -- March 21, 2005 -- POMFRET CENTER/BROOKLYN -- Philip A. Comtois, 82, of Wrights Crossing Road, formerly of Brooklyn, died on Monday at the Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. He was the husband of Lorraine (Malboeuf) Comtois, who survives him. They were married on November 25, 1954 at St. James Church in Danielson. Mr. Comtois was born in Taftville, CT on July 18, 1922, the son of the late Anastase and Evelina (Coutu) Comtois. He attended St. James School in Danielson and Killingly High School. Upon completion of his education, he worked in the local textile mills. He joined the U.S. Navy in October 1942 and served during World War II, until his honorable discharge in February 1946. He served aboard the USS YP 483 and the USS YF 520. He was decorated with the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal, the American Area Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he became an auto mechanic, employing skills that he had learned in the Navy. He started and operated Phil's Service Station in Brooklyn from 1952 until 1960. In 1961, he founded Phil's Garage on Westcott Road in Danielson. He sold the business in 1965 and then began Phil's Auto Parts (NAPA). For the next two decades, he added three more stores, one in Putnam in 1976, one in Plainfield in 1982, and one in Willimantic in 1985. Mr. Comtois retired in 1986, successfully passing on his business to his son and daughter, employing grandchildren who are carrying on the family tradition in the third generation. When Mr. Comtois and his wife retired in 1986, they divided their time between their homes in Brooklyn, CT and Leesburg, Florida, until 1997, when they made their home with their daughter in Pomfret Center, CT. Since October 2003, Mr. Comtois was a resident of Westview Nursing Care and Rehabilitation Center in Attawaugan. He was an avid golfer for all of his adult life. He also loved swimming and woodworking. He had built his home in Brooklyn. He was a member of the Danielson Lions Club, the Danielson Lodge of Elks #1706, and the Quinnatisset Golf Club in Thompson. He was a Fire Commissioner for the Town of Brooklyn, and a Scout Leader for St. James Troop 51. He was a communicant of St. James Church in Danielson. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother. He was dearly loved by his family and will be sadly missed. Besides his wife, he leaves a son, Rene Comtois and his wife, Lynne of Sherborn, Massachusetts; a daughter, Phyllis Tracy and her husband, Charles of Pomfret Center, CT.; three brothers, Wilfred Comtois of Alexandria, Virginia, Maurice Comtois of Brooklyn, CT., and Donald Comtois of Burke, Virginia; four grandchildren, Philip and Mitchell Comtois, Angela Prentiss and Karen Blackmar; four greatgrandchildren, Brianna and Ryan Comtois, Chase and Carly Prentiss, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four brothers, Leo, Albert, Lucien and Joseph A. Comtois; and a sister, Alice Bernard. Funeral from the GagnonCostello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson on Friday at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Libra Mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. James Church, Danielson. Burial following with military honors at Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Calling hours are Thursday 79 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Comtois' memory may be made to the Relay for Life Program c/o the American Cancer Society, 238 W. Town St., Norwich, CT 06360.