William I. "Bill" Roderick

1942 - 2022

Mystic - Bill Roderick, 79, of Mystic and New York died unexpectedly Jan. 13, 2022, at his home in New York City. He was born May 12, 1942, in Warwick R.I., son of Isabelle Bostrom and William I. Roderick.

He is survived by his wife, Jane Ginsberg Roderick; daughters, Ann Dowling (Patrick Dowling) of Hope Valley, R.I., Theresa Bakula of Brookfield Ill., and Sara Roderick (Rod Jaraiedi) of New York; five grandchildren, Matthew, Ethan, Eamon, and Liam Dowling and Lillian Bakula; sisters and brothers-in-law, Susan and Lee Berk of Phoenix, Ariz., and Barbara and Marc Ginsberg of Stonington; three nieces, and one nephew.

Bill was an industrious and self-made man. After graduating from high school in Warwick, R.I., he was the first in his family to go to college and received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with distinction from the University of Rhode Island. Postgraduate studies were at the University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England where he completed an Master of Science and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering.

Bill's professional career started at the Naval Underwater Warfare Center (NUWC) in 1966 and remained there in various positions until 1993, with his last position being the Director of Science and Technology. In 1993 he moved with his family to Italy where he first served as Division Chief for Environmental Research at the SACLANT Undersea Research Centre, La Spezia, and became the Head of the Acoustics Department at SACLANT. With his breadth of experience and diplomatic manner, he had a number of significant foreign involvements. His awards and achievements were numerous, and he was particularly proud of a Patent Issuance, a Special Achievement Award, and a Letter of Appreciation from the Commander of Naval Research for his performance as a Program Manager at the Office of Naval Research.

His work abroad supported his lifelong interest in learning new things and exploring different cultures. Later, Italy remained very important to Jane and Bill, and they frequently returned, and he continued to study and master the Italian language.

Throughout his life and particularly in retirement, Bill enjoyed cooking, reading, travel, meticulously tending to his cars, and rooting for the Red Sox. Golf was a particular passion for him. He was an active member of Stonington Country Club, served as an officer and board member, and chair of the golf committee.

Bill's greatest gifts were the love and care he showed his family. He offered guidance and solutions at a moment's notice. He was a loyal and honorable friend, leaving the legacy of a good and loving person taken too soon.

A memorial celebration of his life will be scheduled at a later date. Donations in his honor can be made to the Annual Support Campaign, Ocean Community YMCA, Naik Family Branch, 1 Harry Austin Way, Mystic, CT 06355.