As a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, Stratton was a friendly presence on the streets of Santa Rosa, earning him a Letter Carrier of the Year award.

His affable demeanor made him a natural leader in the Cursillo movement, a ministry that teaches lay people to become Christian leaders and earned him the nickname “Captain Cursillo,” a moniker that paid tribute to his time on the seas.

Stratton helped found Redwood Empire Cursillo, bringing the group’s weekend retreats to Sonoma County.

“I think it was a life-changing event for him,” said his wife, Carol Stratton of Santa Rosa. “It seemed to help get him in touch with his spirituality.”

Looking to further share his faith, Stratton volunteered after retirement with Kairos, a Christian ministry that visits prisons. He traveled to San Quentin State Prison about once a month with his wife and stayed in touch with parishioners he met there for decades.

“That really made an impact on the lives of the inmates, a couple of whom I had an opportunity to meet here last month,” said Stratton’s son, Tim Stratton. They described Stratton as a good listener who helped them figure out how to change their lives, Tim Stratton said.

Stratton was born in Lewiston, Penn. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served on the submarine USS Spinax in the Atlantic and Pacific.

In addition to his job as a letter carrier, Stratton also worked part-time in the circulation department at The Press Democrat.

By working long hours at two jobs, leaving home at 4 a.m. and returning in the evening, Stratton was able to buy his family a house, his wife said. “He worked hard to take care of his family,” said Carol Stratton. “He was a good man, a good father, a good husband.”

Tim Stratton said his father was always there when he and his brothers needed him, and instilled in his sons a love of sports.

“He taught us all to wrestle — not that big-time stuff you see on TV, but real wrestling,” Tim Stratton said.

Stratton also spent his retirement meeting with friends made while carrying letters and volunteering as a docent at the USS Pampanito in San Francisco.

In addition to his wife Carol and son Tim, Stratton is survived by sons Bob Stratton of Santa Rosa and Brian Stratton of Dixon, brother Bill Stratton of Lewiston, Penn., three grandsons and a great granddaughter.

At Stratton’s request, no funeral service will be held. The family said that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Redwood Empire Cursillos, P.O. Box 6332, Santa Rosa, 95406.