Milton Drummer Grele died with dignity and grace in his home at Elim Park Place in Cheshire, Connecticut on December 13, 2016, enveloped in the warm embrace of family and friends. He was born on April 28, 1925 in Derby Connecticut and is predeceased by his loving parents, Magdalena and Philip Grele and his beloved brother Norman Alton Grele. He attended Seymour High School where he met his future wife, the late, great, Jean Harris Grele.

He led a remarkable life to which we can all aspire, defined by love of family and friends; relentless pursuit of career achievement; passionate devotion to community service and faith; and zest for living life to its fullest. His mother instilled the love of singing and dancing in him at an early age and encouraged him to develop his skills as a singer and tap dancer in local productions. His performances were heralded in the press for the joy and exuberance they brought to audiences.

He was selected by his principal at Seymour High to attend the Woodbridge Country Day School followed by accelerated studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.  He joined the Naval ROTC as an Ensign Commission to transport troops at the end of WWII. He received his Masters degree from Yale University and began his professional career at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in Cleveland, Ohio, a predecessor to NASA.

Milt joined Platt Brothers & Company in 1954 and his illustrious career is distinguished by 58 years of service, concluding as President followed by Chairman of the Board. His invention of the continuous casting of zinc wire revolutionized the company and led to many new contracts and niche projects that contributed to the success of this innovative, local manufacturing business. His leadership was also marked by a clear focus on the wellbeing of the company's employees.

He gave freely of his time and resources to civic engagement and held leadership roles in the Naugatuck Rotary Club, Junior Achievement and as a board member of the Naugatuck Savings Bank. In addition, he was deeply involved in the community of faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir and served on many committees with his wife Jean. He was a natural born leader and emcee whose talents blended joyously and seamlessly into the organizations he championed.

Milt enjoyed life to the fullest and relished sports of all types, most notably golf, but he also had a passion for ping pong, pool, shuffleboard, boating, fishing, racquetball and tennis. His cut shots in the latter would drive his opponents insane. He was a fierce bridge player and excelled at competition of all kinds. His parties with Jean at Birch Lane were legendary, accompanied by games, singing, food and beverage.  He created skits; he reveled in lyrics and costuming. He was always the life of the party.

Above all else, Milt revered his family and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He leaves behind two accomplished daughters, Laurie Grele Cain and Lisa Grele Barrie and 6 grandchildren: Elizabeth, Tucker, Molly and Sam Cain and Ian and Simon Barrie.  He cherished their time together and made everyone feel special by honoring unique traditions, most notably Easter, replete with the building of bunny nests, egg decorating and noodle-making.  There is only one Poppy.

A celebration of his life is planned for Saturday, January 28th at 1pm in the Nelson Hall at Elim Park Place, 150 Cook Hill Road. Cheshire CT. Donations can be made to the Rotary Club of Naugatuck to support the Milton D. Grele Scholarship Fund, PO Box 484, Naugatuck, CT 06770. The Bergin Funeral Home, 290 East Main Street, Waterbury has the honor of assisting the family with arrangements.  It's been 91 years, some laughter and some tears…

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