William "Bill" Cortright

William "Bill" Andrew Cortright, 47, of Windsor, beloved husband for 18 years of Christina (Kauffman) Cortright, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 15, 2024.
Bill was born and raised in Corning, NY, the son of Jeffrey and Jean (Sonner) Cortright, and graduated from Corning East High School. He received his bachelor's degree in engineering from Merrimack College in North Andover, MA, and started working with Corning Incorporated as a Measurements Engineer. After six years, he left and moved to Plainville, where he was the Senior Product Specialist with Gems Sensors and Controls. For the past 9 years, Bill has been with Jacobs Vehicle Systems in Bloomfield, now Cummins, as their Director of Commercial Operations. Bill had a very strong work ethic and inspired his family and friends to be the best they can be every day. He and Christy have been communicants of St. Damien of Molokai Parish, St. Gabriel Church, and Windsor residents, for the past 18 years, where they have been busy raising their beautiful children, Morgan and Ryan.
Bill was an amazing husband, father, son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, coach, and dear friend. He will be fondly remembered as a giving, loving, and nurturing spirit, who loved his family and cats more than anything. Christy and the kids were his world, and he spent every day showing them how much he cared for and loved them through his support, actions, and dedication to their happiness and success. His happy place was being with Christy, Morgan, and Ryan and all the vacations they took together and the happy memories they created over the years. Bill unconditionally gave his time, talents, and resources to numerous organizations, especially those associated with his children, such the St. Gabriel Basketball team, and the CT Flag Football team, both recreational and travel. As a coach, he set the bar high for his players to not only succeed at their sport, but to be humble and realize that winning is not everything. He emphasized learning and growing as an athlete and young adult, and that respecting every player was equally important. It was always imperative to him that his children and players put themselves in the shoes of whoever they were competing against and validate their feelings as well, which he knew would not only help them succeed in their sport, but also in life. Bill loved coaching his children and had a strong connection with them through sports. He was always up front and present at all their events, no matter what they were, and celebrated all their accomplishments. Bill was a very intelligent man, and because he understood the dynamic and rules of every game from an analytical standpoint, he could make smart game choices. He made the kids realize that it is game IQ, and not just athletic ability, that wins the game. His positive mentorship gave them strength to succeed in not only game situations, but in life situations, and these are the valuable lessons that the kids will carry throughout their lives.
Bill was super competitive and played Basketball in high school. As a young adult he was a bowler, and played softball and basketball in an adult recreational league. He participated in tough competitive adventure races, was a fitness buff, and an avid cross fit enthusiast. He believed in taking care of himself, but also enjoyed Aniello's pizza, chicken wings, and a beer from Back East Brewing Company. He also always had a secret stash of jellybeans or Mike & Ike candy. Bill was also a huge NASCAR fan and attended races yearly in Watkins Glen, NY.
Bill touched the lives of so many people and leaves a legacy of beautiful memories that will live in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved him.
In addition to his wife, Christy, his children, who were the lights in his life, Morgan and Ryan, and his parents, Jeffrey and Jean, he leaves to cherish his memory, his sister, Donna Gridley and her husband Stanley; his nephews, Jared Gridley and Johnny Kauffman; nieces, Jenna Gridley, Julia Gridley, Jordan Gridley, and Katrina Nielsen; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Rosemary Kauffman; brother-in-law, John Kauffman; and many other relatives and dear friends.
His family will receive friends on Friday, January 26, 4-7 p.m., at the Lodge Community Chapel, 130 Deerfield Rd., Windsor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held directly at church on Saturday, January 27, 12 Noon, at St. Damien of Molokai Parish, St. Gabriel Church, 370 Broad Street, Windsor.
Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, Bill's colleagues have established a college fund for Bill's children:
go to: https://www.spotfund.com
in the search bar, please type: CortrightScholarshipFund
or: please make donations in memory of Bill to https://suffieldems.org/donate
https://poainc.org/donate/