William Herbert Cuddy

1935 - 2023

William Herbert Cuddy
January 6, 2023
William Herbert (Bill) Cuddy was born August 15, 1935, in Brooklyn, NY, to Carlotta Victoria (Vicki) Cuddy and William Thomas Cuddy and died peacefully on February 6, 2023, at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford, CT. Shortly after Bill's birth the family moved to Worthington, Ohio, and Bill's brother, John Clarke Cuddy, was born when Bill was six. As a child Bill enjoyed summer camp, but most of his interests were academic. He was an outstanding student, which took him from Ohio to Yale University in Connecticut, where he earned a BA in history in 1957 and a JD in 1961. Bill was married to Ann Cuddy from 1958 to 1992, and they had three daughters, who were raised primarily in Lakeville, CT. During this time Bill became a world traveler and outdoor adventurer, pursuits which he enjoyed throughout his life. Bill spent his entire legal career of 42 years at Day, Berry & Howard (now Day Pitney). He was chairman of the firm for six years and helped establish the Stamford, CT, and Boston, MA, offices for the firm. He was very well respected in the legal community. In 1996 Bill married the love of his life, Vivien Blackford, who survives him. They made their home in E. Haddam and then Guilford and enjoyed many travels, theater, dance, political activism, and supporting environmental causes. Bill was also involved in the church (most recently Christ Episcopal in Guilford), men's groups including the Jericho Circle (serving male prisoners in MA), and numerous boards and volunteer activities, including serving as a hospice volunteer with his dog Koty. In addition to his wife, Vivien, and daughters Amy, Laurie, and Kacy (Albie Pokrob), Bill is survived by his brother, John Cuddy (Priscilla), stepdaughter Loren Blackford (Michael Dubno), stepson Evan Blackford (Talia Green), four grandchildren Alex and Tim Kiesling and Sierra and Skye Pokrob, three step-grandchildren Zach and Maya Dubno and August Blackford, many cousins and friends, and his beloved dogs, Wisdom and Tessa.
A service, burial and reception will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, at Christ Episcopal Church, 11 Park St, Guilford. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Selma Area Food Bank (Alabama), the Connecticut Hospice in Branford, or Christ Episcopal Church in Guilford.