William J. Virgulak, Sr.

William Joseph Virgulak, Sr., loving and dedicated father, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 92 years of age. Bill was born in Norwalk, to the late Stephen and Mary (Shuhoza) Virgulak. He had been married for 44 years to the late Ruth Caffrey, who passed away in 1994. He is survived by his five sons: William and his wife Deborah; Christopher and his wife Nancy; Scott and his wife Marge; Joseph and Timothy and his wife Christine; 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, with twin great-grandchildren due in August. He is also survived by his sister- in-law and brother-in-law, Marie and Henri Baneat, many nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. He was predeceased by his loving daughter Sharon, his sister MaryAnn Hartigan, his brother Stephen P. Virgulak and 3 nieces. He was loved and will be greatly missed by Ollie. 

Bill lived in Norwalk for all of his 92 years and was an avid and very talented golfer. He was first introduced to the game as a caddie at Shore Haven Country Club, winning the Buck-Greenwood Trophy at 17 years of age. In 1943, at the age of 18, he joined the U.S. Navy and served during WWII on the USS Metivier, (DE-582). After escorting several troop convoys to Europe, DE 582 joined the 7th Fleet and he and his crew mates saw significant action in the Pacific, including at Lingayen Gulf, Subic Bay in the Philippines and at the invasion of Okinawa. One of his most talked about WWII memories was seeing all the destruction at Pearl Harbor. 

After his discharge in 1946, Bill went back to work at Nash Engineering in South Norwalk, retiring from Nash after 48 years of service. In 1990, he started his second career working at Oak Hills Park Golf Course for 21 years as a starter. He played excellent golf his entire life and made a total of four holes-in-one, the last coming at the age of 82. 

Bill was also blessed with great home care workers, who became wonderful friends: Addison Hadonu and Ruth Cloonan, from BrightStar Care of Fairfield. 

Family and Friends may call at Magner Funeral Home on Thursday, January 25th from 6-8 pm. Funeral Mass will be at St. Jerome's Church on Friday, January 26th at 10 am.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org).