John T. Westmoreland, Sr. of Stratford
Born October 26, 1926, aged 89 years entered into eternal rest surrounded by love of family and friends on March 29, 2016. Born in Bridgeport to Tom and Doris Ellen (Porter) Westmoreland, John left Harding High School to join the United States Navy where he proudly served in the Pacific Theatre during WWII as a Frogman. In 2000, an Act of Congress enabled veterans who had left high school to serve in the war to be awarded their diplomas. John was ecstatic to walk with Harding High School's Class of 2000, to receive his diploma and to represent other veterans receiving their diplomas who were physically unable to attend. John was also honored with a Public Service Award by the Secretary of the State of Connecticut for his service as a World War II Veteran at a ceremony at Bunnell High School in 2009. John retired as head custodian at Wooster Junior High School in Stratford in 1984 and went on to drive special needs children to school for Fairfield Public Schools and later for Winkle Bus until he fully retired at the age of 80. John's life included love of family, God, country, scouting, fishing and hunting. John was a long time member and former Deacon at First Congregational Church of Stratford. He is survived by his wife Jill (Fordham) of forty-three years, five children: Kathleen (Doug) Carlisle of Hillsboro, New Hampshire; Laureen Kerilla of Stratford; John Jr. of Covington, Georgia; Heidi (Anthony) Maraucci of Maineville, Ohio and Edwin of Stratford as well as a son-in-law, Michael Gallant Sr. of Naugatuck; ten grandchildren, Matthew (Betty Jo) Stosse, Rebecca Stosse, Elizabeth Stosse, Sara (David) Gomez-Kerilla, Stephanie Kerilla, Renata Bartlett (Brad), Kimberly Gallant, Michael Gallant, Jr. , Emily Maraucci and Gabriella Maraucci, and 6 great-grandsons, Phillip Gallant, Benjamin Stosse, Robert Solsbury, Noah Kerilla Ferreira, Miles Kerilla Ferreira and Sonny Gomez-Kerilla, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, brother, William and daughter Marcia Gallant.
A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, April 2, at 11:00am, First Congregational Church of Stratford, 2301 Main St., Stratford, CT. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to First Congregational Church of Stratford in John's memory.