Brian A. Minalga

Brian A. Minalga, 97, of Andover, CT, formerly of Westerly, RI and Bloomfield, CT, passed away Thursday, November 29, 2012 at Windham Hospital, leaving his beloved wife of 17 years, Jean Shepherd Gasper. Brian was born in Gilbertville, MA on Feb. 16, 1915, son of Anthony and Benedicta Minalga. He studied at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. In 1939, he began his career in the plastics industry at Plax Corporation, a division of Hartford Empire. As the 13th hire at Plax he became instrumental in the development of the plastic bottle for commercial use and was involved in the making of parts for the Manhattan Project during WWII. Given his vast knowledge of the plastics manufacturing process, he was asked to form the Standards Committee of the Society of Plastics Industry in 1961 and served as chairman for 6 years. In 1983, after a 44 year career, Brian retired from Monsanto, which had bought out Plax. Brian was a very active person with an enthusiastic spirit and an engaging personality, loved by all. He was a member of the Westerly Yacht Club and the Westerly Power Squadron, and served as Commander of the Power Squadron from 1975-76. He enjoyed sailing on his "Wind Song" out of Westerly for over 30 years, as well as golfing and hiking. He was a communicant at St. Maurice Church in Bolton. Brian was predeceased by his beloved first wife of 52 yrs, Margaret, and his sisters, Anita Peltier and Lillian Smith. Besides his wife, Jean, he leaves his sister Phyllis (Francis) Butler of Hardwick, MA; a son, Michael A. Minalga and wife, Marie of Westfield, MA; a daughter, Patricia M. Walbam and husband, Carl of Westerly, RI; grandchildren Brian (Shari) Minalga, Christina (William) Berghoff, Anthony (Kathryn) Minalga, Julie Freer, Jennifer Sanders, and Katherine (Thomas) Churchill; 11 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves his wife Jean's family; sons Andrew (Patricia) Gasper and Robert (Peggy) Gasper, daughters Joanna Griswold and Marylin (Thomas) Sylvester, and their children and grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the Andover Congregational Church, Rte. 6, Andover, CT on Dec. 15, 2012 at 2:00pm. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Andover Public Library, P.O. Box 117, Andover, CT. 06232-0117 or to the Andover Volunteer Fire Department, 11 School Rd., Andover, Ct. 06232. For an online guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .