EAST WILTON – Christopher C. Dere, 83, of East Wilton died unexpectedly early Monday, March 10, at his home.

He was born Aug. 2, 1924, in Grand Valley, Colo., a son of Christopher and Ida (Milner) Dere. He graduated from Rifle High School in Rifle, Colo., and went on to attend the University of Denver. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during World War II from 1943 to 1946.

On Sept. 15, 1951, he married Flossie Harnden in Boston, Mass., where they made their home until moving to East Wilton.

He worked as a carpenter for various construction companies throughout his life. He enjoyed gardening, small home repair projects and collecting sap in the spring. He was also involved with the Wilton Democratic committee.

He is survived by his wife, Flossie of East Wilton; a daughter, Crystal Rienth and her husband, Fred, of Spring, Texas; a son, Christopher E. Dere and his wife, Alfreda James, of East Setauket, N.Y.; a sister, Katheryn Dere of Grand Junction, Colo.; brothers, Charles Dere and his wife, Marie, of Anchorage, Alaska, Gerald Dere and his wife, Cathy, of Grand Junction, Colo., Francis Dere and his wife, Sherry, of Salida, Colo., David Dere and his wife, Mildred, of Warfordsburg, Pa., and Donald Dere of Lorton, Va.; grandchildren, Jason Rienth of Grapevine, Texas, Devon Rienth of Austin, Texas, and Christopher M. Dere and Samira Dere, both of East Setauket, N.Y.; half brother, Walter Rauman of Colorado; half sister, Dorothy Parsons of South Dakota; and a brother-in-law, Harland Harnden and his wife, Carrie, of East Wilton.

He was predeceased by a brother-in-law, Stanley Harnden.