Charles William Ritchie, Jr.

MERIDEN - Charles William Ritchie, Jr., 83, of 19 Runge Drive died Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006 at Meriden Center. He was the husband of Arline Sievert Ritchie. Born in Meriden on Sept. 29, 1923, he was the son of the late Charles William and Helen Olivia Loving Ritchie, Sr. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army in the China, India and Burma theater. He was a graduate of the University of Connecticut, majoring in floraculture, and was a member of the 1948 UConn National Champion Soccer Team. He was employed as a grower for Racker Florist, becoming a partner in 1954 and owner in 1973. The business closed in 1997 and he was currently employed as a grower for Hilzinger Farms in Cheshire. He was a member of the Meriden Florist Association and served a term as president. Also, he was a member of the Connecticut Florist Association, serving eight years as director, and was also a member of the Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Association. He was a dedicated supporter of UConn athletics and was an avid fisherman. Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Susan Neiland and her husband, Gary of Kensington; two sons, David Ritchie and his wife, Barbara of Meriden and Kenneth Ritchie and his wife, Gina of Meriden; seven grandchildren, Christopher Ritchie and Brian Ritchie, both of Meriden, Julie Neiland, Kevin Neiland and Daniel Neiland, all of Kensington and Steven Ritchie and Carly Ritchie, both of Meriden. He was predeceased by a sister, Dorothy Hayes. The funeral will be held Saturday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. at Hubbard Chapel in Walnut Grove Cemetery. Burial with military honors will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Beecher and Bennett Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden.