William Hale Gignac

William Hale Gignac, “Bill”, 88, of Uncasville, widower of the late Grace Phyllis (Burton) Gignac, passed away peacefully Friday (October 7, 2016) surrounded by loved ones at home.  Born Nov. 22, 1927 in Chicago, IL, he was the son of the late Ferdinand and Susan (Minton) Gignac.  Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October of 1945, starting his 20 year Naval career which spanned World War II as well as the Korean and Vietnam Wars before his retirement at the rank of Engineman First Class in 1965.  He went on to work for Electric Boat in Groton for the next 30 years, retiring as an S.T.O. in 1995.  Over the years, Bill had an affinity to the old adage “planes, trains and automobiles”.  He had been a pilot, owning his own plane and was a member of the Groton Navy Flying Club; as well as a model train enthusiast and he loved his sports cars.  Survivors include his three children and their spouses, Gayle and Mark Conrad of Fall River, MA, Brian and Marguerite “Margo” Gignac of Colchester and Michael and Sandra Gignac of Niantic; nine grandchildren, Sarah, Anna and Alex Conrad and Rosemary, Terrance, Joseph, Edward, Jonathan and Casi Gignac; a sister, Joan Rinard of Burbank, CA; his extraordinary caregivers as well as numerous extended family members and friends.  In addition to his beloved wife of 48 years, who predeceased him on Aug. 23, 2010; he was predeceased by three siblings, Alice Askew, Regina Diamond and Fred Gignac.  The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated 10 AM Wednesday (Oct. 12th) directly at St. John the Evangelist Church, 22 Maple Ave., Uncasville. The family will receive guests at the Church starting at 9:30 AM.  Burial with full military honors will follow Mass at the State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Submarine Force Library & Museum Association at http://supportthenautilus.org/.  Care of arrangements has been entrusted to the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home of Colchester.