Obituary of William Alan Wasylishyn

William “Bill” Wasylishyn, of Glastonbury, passed away at home at the age of 74.

Bill was the eldest of six children born to Emma and William Nicholas Wasylishyn, and raised on the family’s dairy farm in Lebanon, CT. He was a graduate of Lyman Memorial High School and retired after a career in communication systems with SNET and BKM.

Bill was the hardest worker and a resourceful do-it-yourselfer, devoted to providing for his family. He was a private man who preferred being home and in the yard or garden, always with a dark tan and his cut-off jean shorts. He was absolutely at his happiest in the summers at the beach where he’d spend nearly every other week for the last 20-plus years at the Charlestown Breachway in Rhode Island. He had enjoyed attending Nascar Winston Cup races in both Daytona and Loudon when “racing was still racing.” His friends and family knew Bill for his sarcastic sense of humor, cynicism, quirks, unspoken “rules,” and could always count on him to tell-it-like-it-is.

Bill was predeceased by his wife of 35 years, Gail, who passed of cancer in 2012. She was an angel in his eyes and seeing her suffer was almost unbearable to him. But, with her loss, he had to step up in new ways for their two daughters, Erica (in Florida) and Heidi (in Glastonbury), whom he loved and supported the best he knew how. He had a very close and special bond with Heidi, and having to bury her after her untimely passing in July quite possibly broke his heart, literally, as it was almost six months to the day when he took his last breath.

Bill is survived by his loving and supportive daughter, Erica, and son-in-law Harper Hanway of Florida, and their son Benson (4.5) who was truly a source of joy for his “Papa,” his loyal and loving sister Vicki of Barkhamsted; his brothers, Steve, of Canterbury and Jim of Lebanon, nieces and nephews, in-laws, and many longtime friends, especially his childhood friend Kris Lugus of Milford whom he had a standing phone call with every Monday and Friday. He was predeceased by his parents, William and Emma, sisters Dawn and Debra, father-in-law Dean Waite, and Gail’s aunt Dorothy.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury. Burial will be in New Lebanon Cemetery, 174 Waterman Rd., Lebanon. Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the funeral home. All are invited to join the family for a time of fellowship afterwards TBD. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Connecticut Humane Society at 701 Russell Rd, Newington, CT 06111 or to the ministry work at Benson’s school, Aucilla Christian Academy, 7803 Aucilla Hwy, Monticello, FL 32344. To share a memory please visit www.mulryanfh.com.