William R. Lanning

Chief William R. Lanning, Ret., (Bill) 80, of South Windsor, beloved husband of Patricia (Aldrich) Lanning, died peacefully on Monday, February 20, 2017, at Manchester Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his family. William was born on November 8, 1936 in Jersey City, NJ, son of the late Ralph and Grace Virginia (Babb) Moore and his step-father John Moore. He grew up in Manchester and at age 17 with permission of his parents he joined the United States Navy and served our country during the Korean War. He enlisted as a boiler tender and was assigned aboard the air craft carrier USS Oriskany the "Mighty O" from 1955-57. He left the Navy in 1959 although the Navy never left him! His time in the USN shaped his life forever. After the Navy, Bill worked as a machinist at Pratt & Whitney and then at Allen Manufacturing Co., before being hired in 1974 as the full-time Fire Marshal for the Town of South Windsor. During his 32-year career, he served for many years as President of the Connecticut Fire Marshal's Association and was a respected fire investigator and code enforcement officer. He retired as Fire Marshal in 2006. In 1962, Bill joined the South Windsor Volunteer Fire Department and was an active duty volunteer fireman for 50 years. During those 50 years Bill held every rank in the department rising to Chief of the Department in July 1987. He served as Chief for 15 years. He remained active in a support company until his retirement in 2012. Bill was also a proud graduate of the leadership school at the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg, Maryland. During his 50 years, Bill responded to more than 8,000 calls for service. He devoted his life to community service and serving the town of South Windsor. He developed long lasting bonds and cherished friendships with his brother and sister firefighters, town employees and the South Windsor business community. In 1997 Bill was honored to be named a Paul Harris Fellow by the South Windsor Rotary Club and Rotary Club International. Bill Lanning was most of all a person of passion. He had a passion for life, for his family, for the fire service and for the Navy. A caring man, devoted to public service, he will be greatly missed. Along with his wife of 41 years, Patricia, he leaves his children, Cathy McGraw and her husband Michael of Maryland, Nancy Pina, and her husband Ben of Virginia; step children, Christine Cassada and her husband Jack of East Hartford, Lisa Comeau and her husband Kenneth of South Windsor, Brenda Kopytko and her husband Eric of South Windsor and Thomas Martin and his wife Donna of Deep River and his daughter-in-law, Valerie Lanning of East Haddam. Bill was very proud of his 19 grandchildren; Keri Crawford, Jennifer Coperthwaite, Leanne Wright, Elizabeth Pina, Sean, Hillary, Kristie, Jake and Courtney Lanning. Amanda Shattuck, Dakota Nicholson, Matthew, Andrew and Katherine Comeau. Kelly Cassada, Eric Kopytko, Jr., Joseph, Michael and Olivia Chaisson. He leaves 5 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Donald Lanning and his siblings, Robert Lanning, Jack Moore, Grace McCarthy and Paul Baskin. In 2013 Bill cherished a reunion with his brother Paul Baskin whom he lost contact with after they were separated by adoption in their early childhood. Bill's family would like to thank the many health care providers who helped with Bill's care and helped us through difficult times with compassion and understanding, especially those at the Manchester Memorial Hospital cardiac and hospice units, the entire staff at the Village at Buckland Court and The Vernon Manor rehabilitation unit and his aid Lucy Green. The doctors, nurses and aids we encountered were outstanding examples of professionalism who gave great and compassionate care! A special thanks to Dr. Ivelisse Viruet and his cardiologist Dr. J. Scott Galle whom Bill credited with keeping his ticker tuned up for so many years. Bill's family will receive friends on Saturday, February 25, 2017, from 2-5 p.m., at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Rd., South Windsor. His family will receive friends again on Sunday, February 26, 2017 from 12-1 p.m., at the funeral home with a funeral service to follow at 1 p.m., with Military Honors. Burial will be private at the request of his family. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the South Windsor Fire Department Explorer Post 838, c/o SWFD 1175 Ellington Rd., South Windsor, CT 06074. Please visit us at www.carmonfuneralhome.com for online condolences and guest book.