Calvin C. "Cal" Sparks, 82, of Windsor, passed away with his family by his side Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007, at St. Francis Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Betty (Medford) Sparks, with whom he celebrated 61 wonderful years of marriage. Cal was born in Baltimore, Md., Jan. 4, 1925, one of four children to the late William C. and Grace (Armacost) Sparks. He attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, where he was a member of the National Honor Society. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943, serving his country during WWII, and was honorably discharged as a corporal in 1946. Cal's passion was engineering, a career and hobby he succeeded in for the majority of his life. He was employed throughout the country for various companies as an airframe designer, and was frequently found on his computer creating new designs. Following his residency in Baltimore, Cal and his family spent nearly 20 years in New Jersey before making their home in Connecticut in 1986. He was a member of the First Bible Baptist Church in Plainville, where he leaves many friends and acquaintances. In addition to his loving wife, Betty, Cal leaves his sons and daughters-in-law, Dale and Nancy Sparks of Jonesboro, Tenn., Wayne and Jeannie Sparks of Bristol, Glen and Cheri Sparks of Lafayette, Ind., and Garry Sparks of Bristol; 11 grandchildren, Dean, Glen, Kenneth, Melanie, Wayne "Curt," Gregory, Jeremy, Amanda, David, Jordan and Erin; and four great-grandchildren, Brittany, Ken, Sarah and Kaleb. He also leaves his sister, Elizabeth Sparks of Maryland, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Colleen Sparks, and his brother, William C. Sparks. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. at First Bible Baptist Church, 12 Granger Lane, Plainville. Relatives and friends may gather tonight, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the church. Relatives and friends may gather at the church one hour before the service, from 1 to 2 p.m. Burial with military honors will follow in Grace Methodist Cemetery. Bailey Funeral Home, Plainville, and Ruck-Towson Funeral Home Inc., Towson, Md., are assisting the family with arrangements. For online condolences, please visit the following Web site:
www.bailey-funeralhome.com

©The Bristol Press 2007