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BORN
1933
DIED
2019
FUNERAL HOME
William Rabitaille Obituary
Bill was born in Groton Jan. 9, 1933. He was the fourth child of Joseph A. Rabitaille and Williamina Greig. Three brothers, Paul, Joseph, and Alex predeceased him. His younger sister Shirley Viveiros lives in Tucson, Ariz.
After serving in the Korean War, Bill returned home to marry the love his life, Patricia Ann Reilly, May 28, 1955. He co-founded R&D Construction in Groton and molded it into a successful property management corporation, allowing him to retire at the age of 51. He then relocated to Fernandina Beach, Fla. where he founded Amelia Island Aerial Tours. Miraculously, he survived a single engine plane crash in 2000 that left him with multiple injuries. With grit, faith, and determination he made a remarkable recovery.
Bill is survived by his wife Pat and will be remembered as a loving husband for just shy of 64 years who took endless pleasure in making her happy. He prided in his French-Canadian ancestry and felt that made him a natural romantic. Bill and Pat suffered the loss of their first infant son, Jeffrey (d 1956) but he was blessed to be survived by 3 children, Renee Smith of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Greig Rabitaille and his wife Beth of Ormond Beach, Fla., and Shelly Benbow of Fernandina, Fla. His children will remember him always for his quick wit and a constant example of strength, duty, compassion and love.
Papa is further survived by his 6 grandchildren, Bill Rabitaille and his wife Rebecca of Farmington, Reilly Rabitaille of Orlando, Fla., Brian Rabitaille and his wife Regina of Orlando, Fla., Patrick Rabitaille and his fiancé Courtney Hall of Ormond Beach, Fla., Caitlyn Benbow of Belton, S.C., and Robert Benbow Jr. of Athens, Ga. He also has 5 great-grandchildren, Owen (9), Emma (7), Elizabeth (5), Joseph (3) and Greig (11mos). Love you always, Pop!
"[Our] life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man. [We're] just a living legacy to the leader of the band." - Dan Fogelberg
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Home with a Celebration of Life service to follow.
The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. until the hour of service at the funeral home.
He will be laid to rest in Bosque Bellow Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Community Hospice of N.E. Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32257
Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Rabitaille
Sponsored by Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors.
3 Entries
Tony & Paula Timpano
May 10, 2019
Dear Pat and Rabitaille family
Please accept our deepest condolences on Bill's passing. We will always remember his wonderful smile and laughter from many years ago, through church and at the Griswold's home across the street from us. Tony remembers when Bill wanted him to fly to New Hampshire just to go for lunch. RIP Bill. Our love to you Pat
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Memorial Events
for William Rabitaille
May
11
Visitation
9:00 a.m.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors1305 Atlantic Ave P.O. Box 693, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035
May
11
Celebration of Life
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors1305 Atlantic Ave P.O. Box 693, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035
May
11
Funeral service
10:00 a.m.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors1305 Atlantic Ave P.O. Box 693, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035
Funeral services provided by:
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors1305 Atlantic Ave P.O. Box 693, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035
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