PLAINVILLE, CT — Alvin E. Gediman, beloved husband of Phyllis (Ratliff) Gediman, died December 15, 2011 at the HOCC in New Britain, after a long illness. He was born in Bath, Maine on September 3, 1930 to Arthur and Sadye Gediman.

Alvin graduated from Morse High School in Bath in 1948 and attended Ricker College in Houlton, ME. He joined the US Navy in 1950 and served for 4 years. After living in CT for several years, he moved back to Bath to work in the family business, Gediman’s Appliance Store. In 1968, he moved to Plainville, CT and began working for General Hypodermics ( Critikon) retiring in 1993. Since childhood, his dream was to own a cottage at his beloved Popham Beach in Phippsburg, ME, and in 1980 that dream was fulfilled. He cherished every minute that he spent there with his wife Phyllis and his many children, grandchildren and friends. Alvin loved to “putter” around and always had a few projects in the works. In his down time he could always be found watching a UCONN basketball game, in which he was a faithful fan. Alvin took pride in his abilities as a “jack of all trades” and that he could fix almost anything. Duct tape was his favorite tool.

In addition to his wife of 40 years, he is survived by 3 sons, Mark and his wife Mary of Providence Forge, VA; Robert of Bristol, CT and Benjamin and his wife Diane of Plainville, CT; 2 daughters Julie Haymond of Winfield W VA; and Beth Falcon and her husband David of Mahopac Falls, NY. He also leaves 10 grandchildren Justin

McCray, Scott McCray,

Amy (Gediman) Allen,

Jennifer Gediman,

Jamie Nottingham,

Devin Gediman,

Stephanie Gediman,

Kyle Gediman,

Audrey Gediman and

Phoebe Gediman and

2 great grandchildren

Analiz and Rey Santana, a sister Rita Nevins and her husband Harold of Wethersfield, CT and his brothers- in- law Mark and Thomas Ratliff of Plainville; nephews Christian Ratliff, Jeff Blonder and a niece Elisa Goldman. He was predeceased by his parents and sister Eleanor Blonder and brother-in-law Lester Blonder.

Special thanks to Dr. Bryan Byrne and all the nurses and staff at the Cancer Center of Central CT, Dr. Jonathan Pendleton and his visiting nurse Ellen Roback.

A celebration of Alvin’s life will be held on Wednesday December 21, 2011 at 6 p.m. at Bailey Funeral Home 48 Broad St., Plainville. Family and friends may gather prior to the service from 4-6 p.m. Shiva will be held on Thursday December 22 and Friday December 23, 2011 at 7 p.m. at 86 Harris Hill Rd., Wethersfield, CT. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the George Bray Cancer Center P.O. Box 100 New Britain, CT 06050 OR CPTV. To share an online tribute please visit www.bailey funeralhome.com.