William J. McIlrath

Love, Laughter, And Poetry Are His Legacy

William J. “Bill” McIlrath, 86, of Newtown, died peacefully, November 29, following a long illness. He was born on January 18, 1925, in Springfield, Mass., the son of Florence (Harmon) and William A. McIlrath, and moved with his family to Bethel in 1929.

After graduating from Danbury High School, he entered the US Marine Corps and fought in the Pacific theater from 1943 to 1945. Following the war he worked briefly in the plumbing trade before joining the Barden Corporation. He remained there for 36 years, working first as an assembly foreman and later in marketing, before retiring in 1992.

Mr McIlrath was an ardent supporter of the American Red Cross and served as honorary chairman for five years. His lifetime blood donations totaled 14 gallons. He loved singing, telling jokes, riddles and humorous anecdotes, and collecting stamps and autographs. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus, the Danbury Mad Hatter Chorus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Brookfield Stamp Club.

He will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 62 years, Millie (Yurik) McIlrath; his daughter Kathleen Quinn, and her husband George, of Newtown; sons Brian, and his wife Mary, of Danbury, Thomas of Danbury, and William P., and his wife Lyn, of Bethel; his nine grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. He is also survived by his brother, the Reverend Leo McIlrath, and his wife Dianne, of Newtown, and sister Rita Murphy of Danbury; and several nieces and nephews. Two brothers, Robert and Joseph, and two sisters, Theresa and Rosemary, predeceased Mr McIlrath.

Calling hours were scheduled for Thursday, December 1, from 2 to 4 pm, and 6 to 8 pm, in the Honan funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, with a Service of the Resurrection at 7 pm, at the funeral home. Interment with military honors is scheduled for 11 am, Friday, December 2, at St Peter Cemetery, Danbury.

 In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org.

 To leave an online condolence, visit www.honanfh.com.

The Newtown Bee        December 2, 2011