WILLIAM H. BLACKBURN
NORWICH – William H. Blackburn, 97, of Norwich, formerly of East Hartford, CT, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 19, 2015, at Norwich Rehab and Nursing Center.
Bill was born on November 6, 1917, in Coventry, CT, son of the late William Harold and Elsie Haynes Blackburn. On October 17, 1942, he married Barbara White in Hartford, CT.
Bill spent the majority of his working career at Billings & Spencer, Hartford, CT, where he was Assistant to the President, and its acquisition, Peck, Stowe and Wilcox. Following that, he worked at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, East Hartford, CT, until his retirement on November 30, 1982.
Bill was a devoted and loving husband and father. He had a wonderful sense of humor and would joyfully tease those he loved the most. He was an avid golfer. He was made a 32nd Degree Mason on May 5, 1956, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine on May 26, 1956. After the death of his wife in 1978, he became a devoted caretaker for his son, William (Topper), and they lived together for many years before they both relocated to Norwich, taking up residence on Fuller Road. Bill subsequently made Norwich Rehab and Nursing Center his home, where he made many friends and shared lots of laughs with both the residents and staff. He will be dearly missed.
Bill is survived by his children, Jean Blackburn and her partner Kay Benjamin of Norwich, and William H. (Topper) Blackburn, Jr., of Norwich. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Barbara, and sisters Elizabeth Moon and Beatrice Ansaldi. He is survived by his brother-in-law, Mario Ansaldi, of Bolton, CT, his dear friend, Nancy Meikile, McLean, Simsbury, CT, and two nieces and a nephew.
A memorial service for William will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2015, at 1:30 at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home in Norwich. The Rev. Mr. Joseph F. Connolly, Pastor of the United Church of Christ in Norwich, will officiate. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Rocky Hill, CT.