William Arthur Blyth, age 87, of Bridgeport, died peacefully at home on Saturday March 29, surrounded by his loving family, after a long courageous battle with congestive heart failure. He was the devoted husband of Frances Shifflett Blyth, the love of his life, for 63 years. Bill was born on August 26th, 1920 in Pawtucket, RI, son of William Cleveland Blyth and Alice Audet Blyth. Bill was a resident of his beloved Bridgeport for 81 years. He had many fond memories of growing up in the South End, and enjoyed reminiscing and telling stories about family and friends, and the city in its heyday. He attended local public schools and graduated from Bassick High School in 1939, and for many years enjoyed attending class reunions. During World War II Bill proudly served his country in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands as a member of the 379th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. His Army buddies held a special place in his life, and he held on to those friendships through correspondence and attendance at many of the 379th's annual reunions, which were held all over the country. Bill was employed for 42 years by Tilo Co. in Stratford, where he also acted as Secretary/Treasurer for United Mineworkers of America Local 302. He continued in that capacity for a number of years after retirement, acting as liaison to Reynolds Corp. (Tilo's successor) to ensure that former co-workers continued to receive assured benefits.
A devout Roman Catholic, Bill was a parishioner at St Charles Borromeo for over 50 years. Most recently, he was a member of Our Lady of Grace parish in Stratford. At St Charles, he was a Lector and a member of the choir, and an active member of the St Charles Friendship Club. He and Fran enjoyed club trips, dinners, and other activities with their good friends at St Charles.
A devoted husband and father, Bill's family was a constant source of pride for him. No matter how many hours he'd put in on the job, he was always available to assist with paper routes, school projects, or family fun, whether it be a picnic at Seaside Park, dressing up on Halloween and trick-or-treating with the kids, or performing in a PTA talent show. Besides his wife, Bill is survived by three devoted children: William F. Blyth and his wife Cindy, of Easton; Kathleen Raynor and her husband Michael, of Stratford; and Timothy P. Blyth, of Bridgeport, and his fiancée, Lisa Tompkins; one cherished granddaughter, Ashley Blyth, of Easton; a sister, Ethel Staron; a brother-in-law, Claude Shifflett; two sisters-in-law, Charlotte Kilpatrick and Betty Shoemaker; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; two infant sons and an infant daughter; a brother, Cleveland Blyth; three sisters: Agnes Cunningham, Rita Robenseifer, and Lorena Evarts; and numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law with whom he shared a deep loving bond. Bill Blyth was a true gentleman. He was a kind-hearted, gentle, soft-spoken, humble, generous person, who never had a bad word to say about anyone, and who was always there to help a family member, a neighbor or a friend in need. He will be truly missed.

The family would like to thank the ICU nurses at St Vincent's Medical Center, the nurses at the CHF Clinic at St Vincent's, and the nurses of VNS of CT Hospice at Home Program and a special thanks to Dr. Albert Walters. Your professionalism, skills, kindness and compassion are truly amazing. You are angels walking the earth. Funeral services will take place on Thursday April 3rd at 9:15 a.m. in the Adzima Funeral Home 50 Paradise Green Place Stratford and at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Church Stratford for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with full military honors will be in Lakeview Cemetery Bridgeport.Friends may call on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers those desiring may make donations to the American Heart Association 1 Union Street Suite # 301 Robbinsville, NJ 08691