Bill Stanley, Pride Of Norwich, Passes Away

Bill Stanley, a former state senator, an unabashed booster of Norwich, an incredible financial adviser, a man who was unafraid to take unpopular stands, and a dear friend, has passed away at the age of 80.

I first met Bill in 1970 when I moonlighted as a tax preparer to augment our income and he talked me into buying five shares of Boeing stock that was selling for $20. It was my introduction to the stock market and needless to say I was happy with the purchase – selling those shares later for $900.

I also learned two valuable lessons from Bill that have always stuck with me: buy stocks when everyone else is selling and sell stocks when everyone is buying; and you will only understand how the stock market works when you are six feet under.

Bill had three passions: his family, improving the economy of the Norwich area, and history.

He will be missed by his family, friends, and Southeast Connecticut.

I urge you to read the stories in the Norwich Bulletin about Bill where he was a columnist.

This is the top of one of the stories:

MICHAEL GANNON

Norwich Bulletin

Norwich, Conn. — Residents remembered Bill Stanley on Monday as a friend, dedicated Norwich advocate and columnist whose work they looked forward to reading in the Sunday morning paper.

Stanley, a businessman, author, former state senator and local historian, died Sunday. He was 80. Norwich residents said the man who so long championed the city’s history became somewhat of a historical figure himself.

“I knew his family,” said Maryjanna Fournier, of Norwich, over lunch at the Rose City Senior Center. “My husband, Joel, went to (Norwich Free Academy) with Bill. We used to see him when they had (dances) down at the old armory on McKinley Avenue. He was a great guy.”

“I read his column every Sunday,” said Gladys McGrath. “I really enjoyed him.”

Fay Pillari, a native of Italy and a Norwich resident, said she and her late husband, Vincent, didn’t yet know Stanley when they received his help more than 40 years ago.

“My husband got a job with the state, and he was supposed to start in early October,” Pillari said. “In late September he broke his ankle and couldn’t start work. We didn’t know what to do, when someone said ‘Call Bill Stanley.’ I don’t know what happened, but then we heard that they were holding the job open, and my husband started in January.

“I guess it was the old state senator in him.”

Ed Sakowski and John Buzenski, of Norwich, said they enjoyed Stanley’s Sunday morning columns on Norwich history in The Norwich Bulletin.

‘All for Norwich’

“Last year, I was at the ceremony (Stanley) had every year for Samuel Huntington at his grave,” Buzenski said. “It was really nice. And his columns were well-researched. He was all for Norwich.”

Stanley was a fierce proponent of the school of thought that referred to Huntington as the first president of the United States. Huntington, a Norwich resident, served as president of the Continental Congress when the Articles of Confederation were ratified. Ten men served in the office before George Washington was chosen president in 1789.

“It must be true or he wouldn’t have written it,” Fournier said of Stanley.

Praise for Stanley continued to come from officials on Monday.

“He will be sorely missed and our prayers are with his family,” said Gov. M. Jodi Rell. “Through his extensive documentation of Norwich history, in newspaper columns and books, his voice will remain with us for generations.”