William Vincent O'Leary

1938 - 2023

With deep sadness, William Vincent O'Leary (Big Bill), 84, of Terryville, CT, unexpectedly left this world on Tuesday, Jan 31, 2023 to join his late wife, Eileen, and his eldest son, Will, in the hereafter. His grandson, Marcus Rogers, grievously made the journey alongside him, as they were together in a car accident that tragically took both their lives.

Bill was born May 24, 1938 in Meriden, CT, where he was raised on his family dairy farm. He graduated from Meriden High school in 1956. Proud to serve his country, he was a US Army Veteran. He obtained his pilot's license in 1965 while driving a truck for a living and then spent the next 53 years flying and running his own business, Interstate Aviation, Inc. at Robertson Airport in Plainville, CT until his retirement in 2018.

A loving and caring father and grandfather, Bill was greatly loved and looked up to by his 8 children and 19 grandchildren. Keeping active, he would regularly take long trucking road trips with his son, Brian. When not riding shotgun in the truck, Bill would spend time with his grandchildren, bringing them to their sports practices and happily watching them play. There was rarely a game that he ever missed! As a hobby and a self-proclaimed master with words, he never met the crossword puzzle that could get the best of him! In his younger years, the family enjoyed singing and playing guitar alongside him. Never a dull moment in our closeknit "O'Leary Clan," he was our "Pa," our rock, our hero… and he will forevermore be missed.

Bill is survived by his sister; Patricia Wallack, Children; Lori Pandell, Lynn Michaud, Sean O'Leary (wife Angelique), Lisa Driscoll, Jennifer Linskey (husband Bryce), Brian O'Leary (wife Jenny O'Leary), Tim O'Leary (wife Anna-Maria) and his 19 grandchildren ranging in age from 28 to 5 yrs. old!

At Bill's request, there will be no formal funeral services. Donations in his honor can be made to: The Marcus Rogers Scholarship Fund, C/O The Thomaston Savings Bank, 203 Main Street, Thomaston, CT 06787 or to Vasculitis Foundation, https://www.vasculitisfoundation.org › donate. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc., www.aherfuneralhome.com.