Obituary of William Seward

William H. Seward, Jr., 84, of New Haven, CT died at home in the comfort of his family on September 21, 2013. He was the loving husband of Cathy (Withington) Seward who was married on July 7, 2013. William was born on July 9, 1929 to the late William and Gladys (Burns) Seward. Known as “Bill” to his friends, he grew up and resided in the “Fair Haven” section of New Haven. He graduated from Commercial High School where he was the Class President of the last class to graduate from Commercial in 1949. Bill excelled in football, hockey and swimming; he later played for the New Haven Crowhills, winning the citywide championship. Upon graduating from high school he enlisted in the U. S. Navy where he proudly served his country from 1949-1953 aboard the USS Duxbury Bay AVP-38 supporting aircraft operations with deployments to the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea. Following an honorable discharge from Station Quonset Point, R.I., he began a 37 year career with the United Illuminating Company, retiring in 1991. From there he continued to work for Special Events Screen Printing owned and operated by his son Scott, for the past 15 years. Bill led a busy and community based life serving as a Park Commissioner for the City of New New Haven under the late Mayor Bart Guida; a seasonal employee of the New Haven Parks and Recreation Department managing Edgewood and Blake Field Skating Rinks. He also served on the Board of Director’s of the Fair Haven Neighborhood Corporation, Dom Aitro Little League where he also coached and served as an umpire and a member of the Greater New Haven Pee Wee Hockey Fathers Association. He was the co-founder of the Bart Guida New Haven Park Rec Youth Hockey League for 35 years and responsible for teaching many inner city kids how to skate and play ice hockey. Bill was a big fan of the Boston Red Sox, traveling to follow the annual progress and Chicago Black Hawks hockey team. Bill and Cathy frequently traveled to casinos, and followed Margaret on jaunts across the country. Besides his wife Cathy, he is survived by his sister Gladys (Edward) Welchans and brother James (Mary) Seward. He is predeceased by sisters Mary (Charles) Burwell and Nora (Walter) Saddig. Bill is survived by his sons William (Debra) Seward, III, Fire Chief Town of North Branford, Edward (Toni Cietanno) Seward and Scott (Donna) Seward. He also leaves grandchildren William IV, WSFD (Cristy), Andrew (Angela), Sarah, Jeffrey, Jonathan Seward and Elisa (James) Riccitelli. In addition, great grandchildren, William V, Madelynn and Abigail Seward. Bill also leaves John (Barbara), Tom (Valerie deceased), Margaret, Rita (Peter), Doris and Loretta Withington as survivors. Bill is predeceased by his first wife Joan A. (Swanson) Seward. He is survived by many nieces and nephews who will miss his sense of humor. The family would like to thank the staff of Yale New Haven Hospital and the Smilow Cancer Center for their kind and professional care over the past several months. His funeral will leave Clancy Funeral Home 43 Kirkham Avenue East Haven, Tuesday morning at 9:30 am for a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis Church on Ferry St. in New Haven. A military burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery on Middletown Ave in North Haven. Visiting hours will be 5:00 – 8:00 pm on Monday at the Clancy Funeral Home in East Haven.