Bill was born in Norwich, Connecticut on February 27, 1956 to the late Catherine (Michalowski) and William Piechowski Sr. Growing up in Montville, Connecticut, Bill loved playing sports and spending time with his nearby cousins, the Przybyszs. Bill graduated from St. Bernard High School in Montville in 1974, where he met his future wife of 40 years, Lisa Drago. He earned a bachelor’s degree in History and Politics from Assumption College in 1978 and a master’s degree in Industrial Relations from the University of New Haven in 1986.
Bill and Lisa were married in 1979. They bought their first home together in Connecticut, where their daughter, Dana, was born. They later moved to Saratoga Springs, New York, where their daughter Darcie was born, and then to Becket, Massachusetts, before returning to Connecticut where they settled in Glastonbury for 16 years. They moved to Maryland in 2011.
Bill spent his entire career in human resources, eventually becoming a Vice President. He worked at General Dynamics-Electric Boat, General Electric, Travelers Insurance, Citigroup, and several companies in the DC area. Throughout his career, Bill made lifelong friendships, mentored others, and made a lasting impact on his colleagues.
To Bill, the most important thing in life was his relationships with his family and friends. He was loved for his sense of humor, wittiness, and warmth – treating everyone like family. He looked forward to his annual spring training trips to Florida, summer fishing excursions (which included his most recent success of reeling in the largest catch of the day while sleeping), and attending sporting events. He was able to see his beloved Capitals win the 2018 Stanley Cup and his two favorite baseball teams, the Dodgers and the Red Sox, compete in the 2018 World Series.
Bill loved music of all kinds and enjoyed attending concerts, but he most looked forward to working as a driver for the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals in the summers. Bill could talk to anyone, even famous musicians. Bill loved to travel and visited Asia, Europe, South America, Central America, and the Middle East—making friends wherever he went. He cherished weekends at the beach house in Rhode Island, especially playing on the beach with his grandson, Jake, barbeques with his sister and her family, and bonfires under the stars with his kids and friends and some cigars, s’mores, and stories.
As an HR leader and in his personal life, Bill always believed in doing right by people. He was the epitome of a good friend, because he genuinely cared about those around him. He touched many lives just by being himself. He will be truly missed.
Bill is survived by his wife, Lisa Drago Piechowski, of Annapolis; his daughter and son-in-law Dana and Douglas Bloom, and his grandson, Jacob Bloom, of Southington, CT; his daughter Darcie Piechowski, of Silver Spring; his sister and brother-in-law Mary Ellen and John Harrington of Cromwell, CT; his niece Caitlin Harrington and husband David Nigro of Hamilton, NJ; his sister-in-law Alicia Bair of Syracuse, NY; and many cousins and friends.
The family wishes to express their eternal gratitude to Bill’s caregiver, Emanuel “Flex” Harper.
Visiting hours will take place on February 15 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at the John M. Taylor Funeral Home and memorial services will be at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Annapolis on February 16 at 9:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine, to St. Mary’s Parish of Annapolis, or a to charity of the donor’s choice.
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