William John Mihancki Jr

William John Mihancki, Jr. "Billy" of Willimantic, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2014 at the age of 71 after a lengthy illness. Billy was born on August 11, 1943 in Willimantic and resided in Ashford most of his life before moving to Willimantic. He was the son of the late William and Pauline Mihancki. He is survived by his brother Robert Mihancki and his wife Patricia of Somers and a sister Janet Doiron and her husband Robert of Hadlyme. He is also survived by a nephew Brian Doiron and nieces Robbin Myers, Kimberly Stone and Kerri Killoran and several great nieces and nephews. Billy retired from The University of Connecticut after 32 years of service in the Landscaping and Maintenance Department. He was an avid model train enthusiast and was a member of Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum, The Amherst Railway Society and The New England Hobby & Train Exchange. In addition to his love of trains Billy enjoyed bowling, fishing and being with people he loved to smile and was a very generous caring man whom everyone loved he will be sorely missed by his family and his many friends. Billy was also a member of The Ashford Volunteer Fire Department until his death and past member of the Ashford Grange #90. His family will receive relatives and friends at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195), Willimantic on Saturday August 30, 2014 from 11:30am to 12:30pm, with his Funeral Mass to follow at 1:00pm St. Philip The Apostle Church, Ashford. Burial will be in South Cemetery, Ashford immediately following the Mass. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Ashford Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 1, Ashford, CT 06278 or to The Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum, P.O. Box 665, Willimantic, CT 06226. Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for directions and online expressions of sympathy.