William Henry Fatek Jr.

William Henry Fatek, Jr., 78 of Preston, CT and Boynton Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 3rd, surrounded by the love of his daughters. He was born on February 8, 1948, in Derby, CT, to William Henry Fatek, Sr. and Aniela “Nellie” Trynaski Fatek, and was raised in Seymour, CT. Bill lived a life marked by devotion to his family, to his country, and to the communities he served.

Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Virginia Sliva Fatek. Together, they raised their daughters in Gales Ferry, CT, before settling in Preston and eventually spending cherished years in Boynton Beach. He also leaves behind his daughters, Katherine (Fatek) Osborne and her husband Matthew of Old Lyme, CT, and their children Grace, John (Jack), Luke, and Emily; and Anne (Fatek) Czarnecki and her husband Benjamin of Tewsbury, MA, and their children Cooper, Carson, and Charlotte. To his grandchildren, he was simply “Papa”, a name spoken with affection, excitement, and deep love. He will also be remembered with love by several Godchildren, nieces and nephews.

A proud graduate of Fairfield Preparatory School and Villanova University, Bill earned his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, played club hockey, and participated in the NROTC program. He later continued his education and received his Master’s degree in Computer and Information Science from the University of New Haven.

After graduating from Villanova, Bill married Ginny, the love of his life, and began his naval career as a submariner. His service took the young couple around the world, with stations in Naples, Italy; Charleston, SC; and Groton, CT. Bill served primarily aboard the USS Andrew Jackson and the USS Tiru, forging lifelong friendships with his shipmates and cherished attending annual reunions for the USS Tiru. Bill was a proud member of the Holland Club, an honor recognizing U.S. submariners who have been qualified in submarines for 50 years.

After leaving active duty to spend more time with his family, Bill continued in the Navy Reserve, ultimately attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Submarines remained a constant in his life as he built his civilian career as an engineer consulting on submarine weapons systems. His career brought him to Hawaii many times, and his family was fortunate to accompany him on several of those trips. Bill developed a fondness for the island’s spirit – and for the perfect Mai Tai. He mastered the recipe for the world famous “Guy Tais,” originally created by his favorite bartender at the Chart House. Bill’s Guy Tai’s became a beloved staple at family gatherings, shared generously with friends and loved ones. Beyond Hawaii, the family also traveled throughout the United States and Canada to visit many of Bill’s Navy shipmates on family vacations.

Bill’s passions were numerous, but his love for woodworking stood out as one of his greatest gifts. With a professional-level workshop in his basement, he crated beautiful rocking horses, dollhouses, serving boards, step stools and tables for his children and grandchildren, who enjoyed visiting and “building things with Papa”. He also found great joy on the golf course, fishing, feeding his birds and squirrels, and puttering around Amos Lake on his pontoon boat which he fondly named the Tiru II.

He was equally devoted to Villanova basketball, rarely missing a game and often traveling from Connecticut to Pennsylvania to cheer on the Wildcats in person. He and Ginny became well-known fixtures at games, organizing elaborate tailgates that brought together friends and family.

Bill spent many years coaching Little League T-ball with the Pirates and softball with the Robbins. Deeply committed to the communities he called home, he served on the Economic Development Committee in Ledyard, the Inland and Wetlands Committee in Preston, and was a founding member and president of the Amos Lake Board. For several years, Bill and Ginny could be found working side by side at the fried dough booth during the Our Lady of Lourdes Church Festival in Gales Ferry.

Bill will be remembered for his honor, loyalty, craftsmanship, and the deep pride he took in the people he loved. Affectionately known as “Pops” by many of his daughter’s friends, his legacy lives on in his family, his shipmates, and in the countless lives he touched with kindness, generosity, and humor.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on May 9, 2026 at 12:00 at Christ the King Church in Old Lyme, with military honors accorded in honor of his service. Family and friends are invited to gather afterward for a reception in the Christ the King Church Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to U.S. Submarine Veterans Charitable Foundation, Inc., in support of submarine veterans and their families at https://ussvcf.org/donate-in-memory-of-submarine-veteran/.