William Joseph Baretta, Jr.

William Joseph Baretta, Jr, 75, of East Berlin, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 8.

Bill was born December 26, 1941 in New Britain, the eldest son of the late William Baretta, Sr. and Lenore (Cistaire) Baretta.  He graduated from Berlin High School in 1959 and was inducted into the BHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011. Bill, along with his father and wife, started and ran several businesses, including Bill’s Market in Portland, and Baretta Provision, in East Berlin.  He loved his work and served his customers selflessly.  Most customers knew they had only to stop by the house at night or on a weekend, and he would run down and open the shop to get them what they needed.  All of the energy he directed towards his work was always to support and provide for his family.  Bill loved being outdoors and enjoyed farming, boating with his wife, snowmobiling with his son, and hosting holidays and enormous family cookouts.  Beneath his gruff exterior was a heart of gold.

Bill leaves his loving wife, Carol (Hanna) Baretta, of East Berlin, his daughter, Lori, and her husband Tom Wright, of Portland, his son, Danny and his wife Marlene Baretta, of Kensington, and his son in law, Eric Bjorklund, of Southington.  He also leaves 7 grandchildren, for whom he would move Heaven and Earth:  Lauren, Nate, and Luke Baretta, Lindsey and Ryan Bjorklund, and Jack and Katy Wright.  He was predeceased by his daughter, Jodi, and his brother, Danny.

Relatives and friends may call at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 South Main Street, New Britain on Wednesday, June 14 from 4-7 pm.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11 AM at Bethany Covenant Church, Rt 372 in East Berlin, with burial following in Wilcox Cemetery in East Berlin.  Please share a memory of Bill with the family in the on line guest book at www.ericksonhansen.com