William C. McKie Jr., 95, formerly of Winsted, Conn., passed away on Aug. 27 at the Geer Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in North Canaan, Conn. of natural causes. He was the husband of the late Beatrice (Jones) McKie. Born in Wakefield, Mass. on May 21, 1917, he was the son of the late William and Katherine McKie and had lived in Northwest Connecticut for 35 years.
Prior to his retirement, he worked for Northwest CT Community College. He received his bachelor’s degree from Boston University and his master’s from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He served in WW II as a Navy Lieutenant in the South Pacific.
After the war, Bill owned and operated a hardware store in Damariscotta for a few years. Bill and his family resided in Newcastle during that wonderful time.
After moving back to eastern Massachusetts, then western Massachusetts and northwest Connecticut, he and Bea would frequently return to Maine visiting Bea’s parents Harold and Helen Jones of Bristol and Nobleboro, and the Jones’ ancestral roots in Round Pond.
During the Amherst years (late 50s – mid 70s) both Bill and Bea rediscovered their love of education. Bill reinvented himself mid-life moving into a new career as a teacher in which he became highly regarded and well-liked and Bea rekindled her career finding a perfect job in the Amherst Collage English department.
Bill and Bea spent most summers throughout their lifetime at the family cottage on the Annisquam River in Gloucester. The summer months on the “Island” revolved around family and lifelong friends. Boating was both a necessity and a recreation. Swimming was a particular passion of Bea. Bill preferred to be on, and not in, the water.
In retirement Bill and Bea spent many hours investigating the Northwest corner of Connecticut switching from the salt and sea of coastal Maine and Massachusetts, to the rolling hills and the walking paths in meadows and woodland.
Bill was predeceased by a grandson, Nicholas Grybko.
His survivors include children, W. David McKie of Venice, Fla., Leslie Thouin and husband Albert of Westhampton, Mass., and Mark E. McKie and wife Sonia of Arlington, Mass. and Cannan, Conn.; grandsons, Brian and Bruce McKie, and Michael Grybko; as well as numerous great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held Sept. 4 at the Bristol Mills Cemetery in Bristol.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Geer Nursing and Rehab Center, South Road, Canaan, CT 06018.
Condolences, and messages for the funeral home, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
