William Walter Fichtel Sr.

Born to Aladar and Hermine (Luthar) Fichtel in Bridgeport on July 16, 1928, Bill was the youngest of eight children. He graduated from Bassick High School in 1946.

In 1950 he married Theresa DelleDonne, to whom he remained devoted until her death in 2017 after 67 years of marriage. Together they had five children. He is survived by: Lorraine Veccherelli of Shelton, William Fichtel Jr. and his wife Lynn of New Gloucester, ME, Della Hodson and her partner James Dennis of Tucson, AZ, Allen Fichtel and his wife Gail of Amston, CT and Harold Fichtel and his wife Debra of Shelton, CT. He leaves 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. In addition, he leaves 4 step grandchildren, 3 step great grandchildren, and 1 step great-great grandchild. Bill outlived his siblings, many of whom lived long lives as well. As he said, “I was the last to arrive, and will be the last to go.”

In the 1960s, with a young and rapidly expanding family, Bill decided he needed to make himself qualified for a job in the emerging field of computers. He enrolled in classes at the Computer Programming Institute, and armed with determination and a healthy sense of curiosity, launched a long and successful career at Olin Corporation - proving that reinvention is possible at any age.

Bill was a hard-working man of steady principles, strong opinions and an unwavering work ethic. He was a source of strength, advice and the well-timed wisecrack or joke for his children, extended family and friends. He was known to tell his loved ones, ”Don’t sweat the small stuff. And it’s all small stuff.”

He loved to travel, and kept his suitcase at the ready until just months before his death. Visiting his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren around the country was a favorite pastime. In 2002 Bill taught English as a new language to Spanish speakers in Spain. Over the years, he also visited Australia, France, and St. Croix as well as many trips to the western United States. A fisherman at heart and a lifelong Yankees fan, he had a knack for finding joy in simple pleasure and he always had a good story to tell afterward!

He leaves his family and all who knew him with a lifetime of memories, many of them funny, all of them cherished.

A celebration of his life will be scheduled at a future date.