THE CASEY FAMILY IS HONORED TO BE ASSISTING AND CARING FOR THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM M. BLAIR Jr.
Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather & Great Grandfather
WATERBURY - William M. Blair Jr. On Jan 14th while sleeping peacefully at home, Bill decided that it was about time to visit his beloved wife Martha to whom he was married for 70 years. Born in Waterbury on April 27, 1924 to Bertha (Stelzel) and William M. Blair, Sr., he was their only child and one who would distinguish himself throughout his nearly 95 years.
After graduating from Crosby High School, Bill soon found himself attending Officer's Candidate School at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He fought bravely while serving in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant, and was ultimately awarded a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star "for utter disregard for his personal safety," and the Order of the Red Star granted by the former Soviet Union. He received that award for leading the first American patrol to link-up with their allies east of Germany's Elbe River and north of Berlin on May 2, 1945.
When Bill returned to Waterbury, his focus turned to another link-up, that with the woman who would become his wife and mother to seven children. They married on October 5, 1946, and raised their family in the Fairlawn section of Waterbury where both Martha and Bill passed away in their home.
Bill spent nearly his entire professional career in banking. He started at the former Citizen's Bank, which later became Colonial Bank and Trust. He earned advanced banking certificates from Williams College School of Banking and Rutgers Stonier School of Banking and was responsible for educating hundreds of aspiring bankers while teaching for the American Institute of Banking through Post College. He retired in 1986 as a Vice President in charge of Corporate Cash Management.
Much of Bill's working life was also spent with his involvement in numerous civic and church-related organizations. He was a co-chair for the United Way Annual Campaign, a former member of the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce and served on the East End Community Center Board of Directors. Bill was an advisor for area DECA Clubs, the president of the Men's Mercantile Softball League, and a member of the parish council of SS. Peter and Paul Church. He was recently honored by Archbishop Leonard Blair for his contributions to the parish and was the recipient of the Saint Joseph Medal of Appreciation.
Always active outside of work, Bill was fiercely competitive in tennis, golf, and pick-up basketball games. He and Martha could often be seen playing mixed doubles during much of the 80's and early 90's, and for certain you would find him playing in area golf leagues into his 80's.
Bill is survived by his children: William T. of Litchfield, Robert of Falls Village, Bruce and his wife Kathy of Wolcott, Barbara Jackson and her husband Gordon of Austin TX, Elizabeth Mascia and her husband Anthony of Prospect, Beverly Wawer and her husband Mark of Litchfield, and daughter-in-law Bonnie of Thomaston. He also leaves his loving grandchildren: Rebecca, Jennifer, Courtney, Daniel, Keith, Sarah, Anthony, Cody, John and Nathan. He was predeceased by his son Brian, daughter-in-law Diana, and granddaughter, Denise Blair.
Bill's family would like to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Quinn, Dr. Ruggiero, caregivers Agnes & Sasha of EuroHomecare, and the wonderful hospice team at Hartford HealthCare, for all the caring comfort and support they provided to Bill and his family.
Funeral services for Mr. Blair will be held on Saturday, January 19th at 9:00am from Casey's Eastside Memorial Funeral Home, 1987 East Main St., Waterbury, CT to SS. Peter and Paul Church, 67 Southmayd Rd. to celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30am. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with Bill's family on Friday, January 18th from 4:00 until 7:00pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, to honor Bill's memory, donations can be made to SS. Peter & Paul Church, 67 Southmayd Rd., Waterbury CT or to St. Leo's Church, 14 Bentwood Dr., Waterbury CT. To share an on-line expression of sympathy or for additional information, please visit the funeral home website: www.eastsidememorial.com .
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William M. Blair, please visit our flower store.
Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather & Great Grandfather
WATERBURY - William M. Blair Jr. On Jan 14th while sleeping peacefully at home, Bill decided that it was about time to visit his beloved wife Martha to whom he was married for 70 years. Born in Waterbury on April 27, 1924 to Bertha (Stelzel) and William M. Blair, Sr., he was their only child and one who would distinguish himself throughout his nearly 95 years.
After graduating from Crosby High School, Bill soon found himself attending Officer's Candidate School at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He fought bravely while serving in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant, and was ultimately awarded a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star "for utter disregard for his personal safety," and the Order of the Red Star granted by the former Soviet Union. He received that award for leading the first American patrol to link-up with their allies east of Germany's Elbe River and north of Berlin on May 2, 1945.
When Bill returned to Waterbury, his focus turned to another link-up, that with the woman who would become his wife and mother to seven children. They married on October 5, 1946, and raised their family in the Fairlawn section of Waterbury where both Martha and Bill passed away in their home.
Bill spent nearly his entire professional career in banking. He started at the former Citizen's Bank, which later became Colonial Bank and Trust. He earned advanced banking certificates from Williams College School of Banking and Rutgers Stonier School of Banking and was responsible for educating hundreds of aspiring bankers while teaching for the American Institute of Banking through Post College. He retired in 1986 as a Vice President in charge of Corporate Cash Management.
Much of Bill's working life was also spent with his involvement in numerous civic and church-related organizations. He was a co-chair for the United Way Annual Campaign, a former member of the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce and served on the East End Community Center Board of Directors. Bill was an advisor for area DECA Clubs, the president of the Men's Mercantile Softball League, and a member of the parish council of SS. Peter and Paul Church. He was recently honored by Archbishop Leonard Blair for his contributions to the parish and was the recipient of the Saint Joseph Medal of Appreciation.
Always active outside of work, Bill was fiercely competitive in tennis, golf, and pick-up basketball games. He and Martha could often be seen playing mixed doubles during much of the 80's and early 90's, and for certain you would find him playing in area golf leagues into his 80's.
Bill is survived by his children: William T. of Litchfield, Robert of Falls Village, Bruce and his wife Kathy of Wolcott, Barbara Jackson and her husband Gordon of Austin TX, Elizabeth Mascia and her husband Anthony of Prospect, Beverly Wawer and her husband Mark of Litchfield, and daughter-in-law Bonnie of Thomaston. He also leaves his loving grandchildren: Rebecca, Jennifer, Courtney, Daniel, Keith, Sarah, Anthony, Cody, John and Nathan. He was predeceased by his son Brian, daughter-in-law Diana, and granddaughter, Denise Blair.
Bill's family would like to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Quinn, Dr. Ruggiero, caregivers Agnes & Sasha of EuroHomecare, and the wonderful hospice team at Hartford HealthCare, for all the caring comfort and support they provided to Bill and his family.
Funeral services for Mr. Blair will be held on Saturday, January 19th at 9:00am from Casey's Eastside Memorial Funeral Home, 1987 East Main St., Waterbury, CT to SS. Peter and Paul Church, 67 Southmayd Rd. to celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30am. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with Bill's family on Friday, January 18th from 4:00 until 7:00pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, to honor Bill's memory, donations can be made to SS. Peter & Paul Church, 67 Southmayd Rd., Waterbury CT or to St. Leo's Church, 14 Bentwood Dr., Waterbury CT. To share an on-line expression of sympathy or for additional information, please visit the funeral home website: www.eastsidememorial.com .
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