William DeBastiani

Bill was a proud veteran of WWII serving in the Navy’s Seabees. He was longtime resident of East Hartford where he raised his family and served in the Police Department for 36 years retiring as a detective Sargent. He had a strong moral code but had a very gentle way about him. Bill received a Jaycees public service award and was cited for saving over 41 lives in his exemplary life.

Bill will be dearly missed by all whose lives he’s touched, most especially his daughter, Jeanette Ertel of South Windsor; his grandsons Mark Ertel and his wife Laurie and Bernie Ertel and his wife Patti; his granddaughter in-law Danielle; his 7 great grandchildren and his great great-grandson. He was predeceased by his grandson Christopher Ertel and his 5 siblings.

Funeral Services will begin at 8:00AM, on Friday, May 9, at Newkirk & Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Ave., East Hartford, CT 06108 for a period of visitation, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30AM, at Blessed Sacrament Church, 36 Cambridge Dr. East Hartford, CT 06118. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill.

A special thanks to the Hartford VNA Hospice team for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hartford VNA Healthcare Hospice team, 999 Asylum Ave., Suite 510, Hartford CT 06105.

To leave an online condolence please visit www.newkirkandwhitney.com