Michael A. Williams

Michael “Mike” A. Williams, 82, of Vernon, beloved brother of Louis and father of David, Gregory, Maria (Christos), Barry, Kathryn, Michael, and Maura Williams, died Monday (November 18, 2013) at Manchester Hospital.

Born May 25, 1931 in Saginaw, MI he was the son of the late Anthony and Helen (Haslam) Williams. Along with younger brother Louis, the family moved to Brockton, MA in the early years of the Great Depression. With the passing of their father Anthony early on, Mike and Louis worked numerous newspaper routes delivering dailies, weeklies and Sunday papers before and after school to help the family make ends meet. As a soda jerk at a local pharmacy in the Lithuanian section of Brockton, Mike’s only opportunity to attend college came when the pharmacist offered to pay Mike’s first semester’s tuition, provided that he attend Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. Shortly after graduation, he was inducted into the United States Army as a Private and served during the Korean War as pharmacist on a US Army base in Germany. Upon discharge, Mike returned to private life and married Elaine Vincenze Germaine of Brockton. His job as a pharmaceutical sales rep for E.R Squibb took him and his young family to Wethersfield, CT. When the opportunity came along to purchase one of his client’s drug stores, Elm Rexall Pharmacy, Mike left the corporate world and embarked on a long career as a pharmacist settling in East Hartford, CT.

As the owner of a well respected drug store in town, Mike became involved in many local civic and community organizations. The soda counter at Elm Pharmacy became the social meeting place for town employees, civic leaders, local sports enthusiasts and many others.

His love of sports particularly basketball, led to being the principal sponsor of two local semi-professional sports teams: The East Hartford Dovelettes fast pitch softball team and the East Hartford Explorers of the New England Basketball League. As an exceptional athlete, Mike played occasionally for both teams principally during professional exhibition games against the likes of Eddie Feigner and His Four Man Softball team known as The King and His Court; and Marques Haynes and the Fabulous Magicians. Marques Haynes, the former Harlem Globetrotter and Mike became close friends in later years after the many exhibitions they played together each Christmas Day at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Mike’s civic and community contributions led to his appointment as Commissioner of Pharmacy for the State of Connecticut by then Governor Thomas J. Meskill and served from 1971-1975.

As with many small independent pharmacies in America, Elm Rexall Pharmacy closed in the late 80’s as a result of competition from the large chain pharmacies and Mike moved on to other opportunities.

Mike is survived by his brother, children and grandchildren.

Family & friends are invited to attend a period of visitation on Saturday, November 23, 2013 from 3-5pm at the Benjamin J. Callahan Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Ave., East Hartford, CT 06108. Burial is private and at the convenience of the family. For complete obituary or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.callahanfuneral.com