Longtime horseman and well known blacksmith Thomas Gratton peacefully passed away on April 12, 2011 at Regency Manor, Port Hope, Ont
. Thomas was in his 80th year.
Gratton was the blacksmith for the opening night of harness racing at Kawartha Downs in July 1972. Beloved husband of the late Ann Gratton (nee Randall). Loving father of Paul Gratton (Tara) and Sharon Harvey (Brad). Dear grandfather of Avery & Brooke. Brother of Madeline Stewart, Reta Rodgers, Myrtle Barnes, Olive Urquhart, Sharon Howard and the late Eric, Earl, Ross, Trevor, Clarence, Everett Gratton, Florence Dowdell and Raymond Parks. Remembered by his mother-in-law Elizabeth Randall and his sister-in-law Ria Gratton.
Friends are invited to attend a celebration of Tom’s life on Saturday, April 23 at the Cold Springs Hall, from 11 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. If desired, donations may be made to the Durham Regional Cancer Centre or Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society. Condolences received at the MacCoubrey Funeral Home website.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Thomas Gratton.
I will always remember going
I will always remember going to TOM'S to get my parents horses shod.It was always an enlightening experience. He always had a story or two to tell you. Most of the time a local would wander in and the stories really got going. The barn was always full of laughter and the smell of horse hooves and pipe tobacco. We were never in a rush to leave as tom made us feel at home.
MEMORIES OF A YOUNGER TIME