Groton - Robert W. Pratt, 69, of 45 Shannon Lane, Groton, died Friday, June 13, 2008, at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital.

He was born Oct. 31, 1938, in Waterbury, the son of Cecil and Grace Pratt.

Mr. Pratt served in the U.S. Navy and was a disabled American veteran of the Vietnam War.

He had owned a gift shop, Touche Panache, in St. Petersburg, Fla., for many years and had also been a teacher at the University of Hartford and Quinebaug Valley Community College. During the late 1970s, Robert worked as a speech writer and political policy adviser to former Connecticut Gov. Ella T. Grasso.

Mr. Pratt was a founder, president, and program director of the Quinebaug Valley Literacy Volunteers.

He married Lorraine LaBarre in St. Petersburg, Fla., in October 1989.

In addition to his wife, Lorraine, he is survived by a stepson, Mark LaBarre of Taftville; a stepdaughter, Daneen Blanchette of Groton; and a sister, Marcia Dayton of Missouri; four grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

A celebration of his life will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, June 16, at his residence. Burial is private.

Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St., Groton, is assisting with the arrangements.

Donations in his memory may be made to Literacy Volunteers of America, 261 Main St., Norwich CT 06360.

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