William J. Alape

William James Alape, 74, passed away on October 26, 2016 surrounded by loved ones at his home in Ashford, CT. Born in Jersey City, NJ on October 24, 1942 to Robert E. and Anne (Quirk) Alape, Bill was ecstatic when the family left the city in 1948 to buy a farm in Ashford, CT, where he reveled in the country life. Bill attended E. O. Smith High School and Morehead (KY) State College. After serving in the Ohio National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves, he engaged in several business, political and entrepreneurial activities, the most rewarding of which were the years he spent traveling the world for Aqua Scooter, Inc. A spirited, well-informed political debater, Bill was involved in local politics, including serving on the Ashford Board of Selectman and various commissions. During his youth and in retirement, any day spent in his pristine woods was a good day. Bill took seriously his responsibility as a steward of the planet. Even while ill, he insisted on carrying jugs of water from his rain barrel to the house, saying, “A man’s gotta take care of his ranch.”

Predeceased by his parents and his brother Robert M. Alape. Bill leaves behind his sisters, whose love he returned in great measure: Kathleen Carpenter of Hampton, CT and Joyce Hansen of Northampton, MA, and his devoted brothers-in-law Bill Carpenter and Russ Hansen. He also leaves a brother, Philip Alape of San Francisco, CA, and beloved nieces Lisa Alape, Kim Kramer and her husband Kevin Kramer, Amanda Dazy and her fiancé Jamie Norton. Great-Uncle Bill doted on and will be missed by his nieces’ children, Christopher, Jack and Allison Dazy; Jace Kramer, and Molly, Kelly and Liam Alape. Bill also leaves his dear aunts, Dorothy Boisvert and Evelyn Quirk, many special cousins, and a circle of extraordinarily good friends.

Bill and his family are deeply grateful for the kind and expert care he received during treatment for prostate cancer at Windham Community Memorial Hospital, and for the superior, compassionate in-home care by Denise and the other Hospice nurses from Hartford HealthCare At Home of Mansfield, CT. Bill would prefer that you omit flowers in favor of donations to the Ashford Volunteer Fire Department: P.O. Box 1, Ashford, CT 06278, to support the first responders who render compassionate emergency services to people in distress.

Bill’s family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, October 30, 2016 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195), Willimantic, CT.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 31, 2016 at 11:00 am at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 64 Pompey Hollow Rd. (Rt. 44) Ashford, CT. Burial will be private. To sign the online memorial guest book, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com

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