Obituary of Paul M. Tretter

Paul M. Tretter, 87, of Portland, MI, formerly of Lewiston, NY, died Sunday, July 3, 2011, after a lengthy illness.Born in Elba, NY, December 23, 1923 to the late Mathias and Helen (Meyer) Tretter. He graduated from Elba High School and attended Cornell University. Paul served in the US Navy Air Corp. in 1946 and on February 15, 1948 was married to Margaret M. "Peggy" Morrison. They lived and raised their family in Lewiston until moving to Michigan in 2002. Peggy passed away on October 23, 2008. Paul retired as a foreman from the New York Telephone Co. after 40 years of service and after his retirement had a private business repairing and installation of telephone service. He was a member of the NY Telephone pioneers, served on the Board of Directors of Rivershore Inc., was a former member of Immaculate Conception RC Church, Ransomville, and volunteer at the St. Vincent dePaul Society. Paul was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and always willing to help others. Survivors include his children, P. Brian Tretter of Lewiston, Ted (Susan) Tretter of Alabama, Marietta (Alden) Leatherman of Portland, MI, Margaret Tretter of Niagara Falls, Katie (Mike) Sootheran of Middleport, NY; nine grandchildren, Alex and Jim Tretter, Jeff (Beth) Tretter, Doug and Matt Tretter, Molly (Michael) Lagrou, Emma and Abby Leatherman and Robbie Duarte; three great-grandchildren, Jeff Tretter, Willow and Raina Lagrou; a daughter-in-law, Debbie Tretter and former daughter-in-law, Kathy Hogan; two sisters, Isabelle Rada, Joan (Donald) Moynahan; a brother, Carl (Irene) Tretter, all of Batavia, NY. He was predeceased by his two sons, Mark J. and Christopher Carl Tretter; and three sisters, Mary Francis Tretter, Florence Tretter and Teresa Dehm (Ken Dehm) of Batavia. Friends may call at the HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Sts., Lewiston, on Thursday (July 7) from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow, at 12 noon, at Immaculate Conception RC Church, 4671 Townline Rd. (Rt. 429), Ransomville, with Rev. Joseph Badding officiating. Entombment at Holy Angels Mausoleum, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston. Memorials may be made to Rivershore Inc., 765 Cayuga St., Lewiston, NY 14092.