Deacon John P. Gratton, 86, of Derby, died Dec. 7 at North Country Hospital in Newport.

He was born Aug. 19, 1931, in Derby Line, the son of Herve and Blanche (Roy) Gratton. He was a border at the Catholic school in Saint-Césaire, Québec, and attended grade school in Rock Island, Quebec.

He attended Sacred Heart High School in Newport and served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion Post #21 in Newport.

On June 14, 1951, he married Norma Hendrick who survives him; they had 10 children.

On Sept. 23, 1989, he was ordained a deacon and served at St. Benedict Labre Church in West Charleston and St. Edward the Confessor Church in Derby Line where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He held several different positions at Columbia Forest Products; his last position was that of purchasing agent.

Besides his wife, he is also survived by his children and their spouses: Michael Gratton of Derby, Bobby Gratton and his wife, Linda, of Council, Indiana; Neena Gratton of Derby; Peter Gratton and his wife, Janet, of Newport Center; Timmy Gratton and his wife, Kendi, of Bristol; Danny Gratton and his wife, Mary, of Essex Junction; Angela Cerkovnik and her husband, Michael, of Davidson, North Carolina; Andre Gratton of Cherryville, North Carolina; Ronnie Gratton and his wife, Paula, of Fairfax; and Ricky Gratton and his wife, Neha, of Derby.

He is survived also by his 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

His sister, Pauline Gratton, predeceased him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Dec. 15, at 1 p.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Church in Derby Line.  Calling hours in the church will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.