Obituary of Clarence W. Contratto

June 30, 1931 – January 12, 2019

Clarence W. Contratto.  Age 87 of Dearborn.

Beloved husband of Anna Mae Contratto.  Loving father of Thomas (Paula) Contratto, Cynthia (Dale) Knapp and the late Theodore Contratto.  Dearest grandfather of Michele (Knut) Thomassen, Jennifer (Sean) Foley, Marcus (Nelly) Amer, Brandon (Lexi) Contratto, Joseph (Rachel) Contratto and John Contratto.  Dear great grandfather of Erik, Jenna, Hannah, Ameena, Liam, Farrah, Mila and Joseph. 

Also survived by his dogs Molly, Lulu, Julie and Neffy.

FAMILY TRIBUTE

Clarence’s life started out at Precious Blood grade school. He then attended Cooley High School and graduated from there. He worked for UAW for more than three decades. Clarence was appointed Local Union President to Assistant Director of UAW competitive shop (IPS) department. He served 2 terms as chairman of the GM parts unit from 1958 to 1963. He was a member of 6M Top Negotiating Committee from 1958 to 1961. Clarence was elected President of Local 408 in 1963. He then was appointed to the staff of Region IE in 1968 as Region IE’s Political Action and Citizenship coordinator in the Downriver area until 1973. In 1973, he was appointed Education Director for the region until 1977. In 1977, he studied Health Care Systems in Europe, where he visited 5 countries.

He was then assigned to the servicing staff of Region IE, where he carried out his responsibilities, as well as collective bargaining. He was a Dearborn Precinct Delegate for 40 years. He retired at 71 and enjoyed retirement for about 15 years. Clarence joined the United States Army October 10, 1949. He was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas and was in CO C 86th Inf Regt 10th Inf Div. Organizations he was involved in were Forgotten Harvest, March of Dimes and Goodfellows. Clarence organized fundraisers to raise money. He would use this money to buy food, such as all the fixings for a Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner for laid off employees of GM plants.

Clarence’s personality traits were that he was a very honest, thoughtful, kind-hearted, hard-working, loving and a give you the shirt off his back kind of guy. Always thinking about others, or how he could help someone in need. His hobbies were flowers, flowers and more flowers! He loved planting all around his house. He always kept his yard picture perfect. He loved decorating his home for Christmas and every other Holiday. He loved watching the birds nest and go in and out of the several bird houses that he built for them.

Clarence will always be remembered by his neighbors, friends, co-workers and family as a wonderful husband, father, and grand-father who cared deeply, not only for his family, but for the people all around him. He had the biggest heart, always wanting to help out any charity that was in need. He saved UAW employee’s countless jobs that he took upon himself to fight for. He fought for women’s rights in the workforce. He contributed to his Church whenever he could, and was a devoted Catholic. God took a beautiful human being from this earth. Perhaps he had plans for Clarence to organize up in Heaven.

We will remember our Dad for his special smile, his caring heart, his warm embrace that he always gave us, always being there for mom and us through good times and bad times, no matter what. We will always remember you Dad, because there will never be another one to replace you in our hearts and the love we will always have for you!

We love you Dad. Rest in Peace.

Memorial contributions appreciated to American Cancer Society or Michigan Humane Society.