Wayne F. Pelkey, 79, of Canton, beloved husband of Anna (Kulik) Pelkey, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, March 3, 2018. He was born August 12, 1938, in St. Albans, VT; son of the late Ralph Pelkey Sr., and Eunice (Mitchell) Pelkey. Wayne proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps where he was a helicopter mechanic. He was a machinist for Emhart Corporation for many years as well as a member of the Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department and served as an EMT on the Collinsville Ambulance.
He loved to walk in downtown Collinsville and visit everyone at LaSalle Market, Town Hall and the bank and everyone knew he was "that tall, good looking guy with long wavy hair, and big, blue eyes, that lies a lot all in one breath". He was a devoted husband and father with an infectious smile that made everyone around him love him. Once you met him, you could never forget him. He loved coaching Little League and attending his grandchildren's sporting events, plays and concerts.
In addition to his wife he is survived by four children, Karen Evans of Winsted, Sharon Henry and her husband Rob of Litchfield, Linda Root (and Tony Martin) of New Hartford and Howard Pelkey of New Haven; 9 grandchildren, Michael (and finance Kara) Brummert, Kari (and husband Jesse) Reidhaar, Kenny Evans, Dan (and wife Alainna) Brummert, David Brummert, Nicki (and husband Marty) Goldschmidt, Lyndsay (and husband Tim) Horwedel, Justin Root and Casey Root; 5 great-grandchildren, Damon Evans, Jake Reidhaar, Eva Brummert, Cannon Goldschmidt and Lily Horwedel; and his siblings, Ralph Pelkey, Jr. and his wife LaDonna, Betty Parrotte, Beverly Parrotte, Iris Jones and sister-in laws, Marge Shaffer, Mary Thompson and Grace Kulik and several nieces and nephews. Wayne was predeceased by his sisters, Shirley, Laura and Eleanor, and niece Mary. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Cherry Brook Health Care Center, especially Rhonda, Jen, Dawn and Sierra for their amazing care as well as the McLean Hospice Staff.
Relatives and friends may join the family for calling hours on Tuesday, March 6th from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Tpke, Canton. Funeral will be Wednesday, March 7th, 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Church in Collinsville. Memorial donations in Wayne's memory may be made to Cherry Brook Health Care Center, 102 Dyer Avenue, Canton, CT 06019 or Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 281, Collinsville, CT 06019. Please visit Wayne's Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.