WILLIAM JOHN D'ARCY, age 95, died on January 26, 2019, surrounded by his family. A Stratford resident for most of his life, he was co-owner of the Dennis & D'Arcy Funeral Home until his retirement and its sale in 1985. Son of the late Francis and Ruth (Dennis) D'Arcy, Bill was a proud graduate of Stratford High School's Class of 1942. He attended the Junior College of Connecticut and continued his education at Trinity College in Hartford before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1943. He received his commission as an ensign at Northwestern University and served in the Pacific Theater until 1946 as a line officer on the battleship U.S.S. Tennessee (BB43).
At the end of World War II, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Jeannette Goudreau, with whom he would share 59 years of marriage before her passing in 2005. His lifetime interests included golf, photography, tending to his lawn, rooting for the Red Sox, and controlling the remote (earning him a nickname that stuck – The Big D – as in dominator).
In addition to his wife, Jeannette, Bill was predeceased by his youngest daughter, Kathy, in 2012. He is survived by two other children: Barbara Kiernan (Jeff) of Milford; and Robert D'Arcy of San Francisco. He was blessed with seven devoted grandchildren: Sean Kiernan of Bridgeport; Brendan Kiernan (Milá) of White Plains; Timothy Kiernan (Kathleen) of Cheshire; Robert Kiernan of Fairfield; Christopher Kiernan of Fairfield; Kevyn D'Arcy of Alexandria, Va., and Keara D'Arcy (Terrence Isaacs) of Queens, N.Y. Bill also delighted in his nine great-grandchildren: Sean Robert, Chloe, Lila, and Evie Kiernan; Elias and Clara Ercole-Kiernan; Kaylan D'Arcy, and Elijah and Cole Isaacs. He is also survived by one sister, Carolyn D'Arcy of Hanover, NH, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff, residents, and his various table-mates at Crosby Commons Assisted Living in Shelton, for providing a friendly, caring environment these past two years – a place he said "overflows with kindness." We also wish to thank Dina Mooney (Constellation Hospice Services) and his two wonderful CNAs, Toni Scott and Giana Bitto (Reliable Care), who kept him laughing, as well as safe and comfortable, in his recent decline.
Funeral services will be held at the Stratford United Methodist Church, 2600 Main St., at 10:30 on Sat. Feb. 2. Friends may greet the family there from 9:30 until the service begins. Memorial donations may be made to the Stratford United Methodist Church, where Bill was a congregant most of his life, or to Crosby Commons Assisted Living (United Methodist Homes).
Arrangements entrusted to the Dennis & D'Arcy - Abriola & Kelemen Funeral Home. To offer the family online condolences please visit www.dennisanddarcy.com.