Clarence M. Paterson, 84

Clarence M. Paterson, 84, of Blackstone, Mass., died Sunday, June 8, 2008 at home. He was the husband of Sophia (Price) Paterson, whom he married November 24, 1947.

Born in Kenton, Manitoba, Canada, he was the son of the late Samuel and Ida (Young) Paterson and was a WWII and Korean War Navy veteran.

Clarence worked 35 years as an equipment installer for the former New England Telephone Company, retiring as a foreman in 1982. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers Club and coached swimming at the YMCA.

Besides his wife, he is survived by four sons, Samuel Clarence Paterson of Jamestown, Joseph Paterson of North Smithfield, R. Bruce and Donald Paterson, both of Blackstone, three daughters, Susan Bergeron and Jenny Mowry, both of Blackstone and Dorothy Coetzee of South Africa. He is also survived by a sister, Joyce Chace of North Smithfield, seventeen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was the brother of the late Elizabeth Scott, Pauline P. Staples, Olive Pickering and Charles W. Paterson.

His funeral service was held June 12 at the Holt Funeral Home in Woonsocket.