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Gilbert Myron Katten


LITCHFIELD – Gilbert Myron “Gib” Katten departed from this earth on Feb. 5, 2016. He waged a brave battle with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. He was born in West Hartford, CT on Dec. 18, 1925, son of the late Myron and Florence (Kahn) Katten and graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1943. Gib became a licensed pilot at the age of 16, was an Air Raid Warden at age 17 and a member of the Civil Air Patrol- Observer Rating. He graduated from the Samson Air Tech School with an “E” license. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps at 17 and graduated Air Cadets as a Flight Officer- B-29 Flight Engineer. In January of 1949 he graduated with a BA from UCONN where he also taught horseback riding and was a member of the TEP Fraternity. Gib was also a Life scout and scout master of Troop #28 in West Hartford. He joined the family retail clothing business which was established by his grandfather in 1869. He was a member of the Governors Disaster Committee for recovery of the Winsted area after the 1955 hurricane and flood. Gib had served on various boards in many different capcities including, Chairman of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Retail Division, In Stamford, CT he served as Chairman of Planning Board, the Little Hoover Commission on Government Reorganization, the Arts Council and President of the Jewish Center for four years as the property was developed on Newfield Ave.
He also served as a member of the executive committee of the National Committee on Foreign Policy in New York. He was the president of Recreation Ventures, developer of Gentle Winds Resort in St. Croix, USVI, and was a partner in Siebert Associated Financial Brokerage Firm. Gib was a Recipient of the “Editors Choice Award” for Outstanding Achievement in Poetry from the Nation Library of Poetry in Washington, DC. He established “U-Captain-IT” the first regional boat charter operation which was written –up as a feature article in the New York Herald Tribune. After Retirement, Gib worked as consultant and director of Business Development for Acme United Corp. of Fairfield, CT. and also published a book of poetry “Poetic Ramblings from my Bachelor Days. He was an ardent sailor having sailed the East Coast, Virgin Islands, Greek Islands and Grenadines. An ardent Skier, he skied in North America and Europe.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Deanna (Hirsch) Katten, and a son, Christopher James.

There will be a celebration of Gib’s life on Valentine’s Day, Feb 14, at 2:00pm at the clubhouse at Hunters Chase. There will also be a celebration of his life at the SJC sometime in the spring. In lieu of flowers, please give a loved one a hug.

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