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William Louis Shontell

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East Lyme High School

William Shontell Obituary

East Lyme - William Louis Shontell, 76, of 15 Acorn Drive, Niantic, died June 27, 2006, at Bayview Health Care Center in Waterford.

Bill was born in Quaker Hill, on Nov. 3, 1929, the son of Dewey Louis Shontell and Eva (Orin) Shontell. The family moved to New London where Bill spent his formative years, graduating from Bulkeley School in 1949.

Bill began his business career in 1949 at the Minor and Alexander Lumber Co. where he learned the building business and advanced quickly in the organization to lead building estimator. Bill further honed his business skills at National Gypsum Co. as an award winning national salesman.

Bill answered his call to duty in the Korean War serving in Germany from 1951-1953. Upon his return, he married his childhood sweetheart, Josephine Morsicato, at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church on June 18, 1951.

Bill's strong desire to become an entrepreneur led him in 1956 to open his own business, County Builders Supply, where he was known as the youngest retailer in New London. County Builders, as many referred to it, was a lumber, building supply, and custom home building company located on Pequot Ave in New London. Bill and County Builders served the community for some 20 years. Bill later opened The Shontell Agency, selling commercial and residential real estate throughout the New London County area.

A lifelong resident of New London and Niantic, Bill was a founding member of the East Lyme High School Booster Club, helping bring financial support and awareness of the East Lyme High School sports program throughout the area. Bill was instrumental in enlisting top college coaches, such as Penn State's Joe Paterno, to speak at East Lyme High School sports banquets.

While many will remember Bill as a successful businessman, he is remembered by his family as a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Josephine, on March 10, 2002, and a sister, Nell Shontell Digby of Kalamazoo, Mich.

He is survived by two sons, William J. Shontell of Arlington, Va., and Robert Shontell of Tujunga, Calif.; a daughter, Joan Knecht of Chantilly, Va.; a sister, Eleanor Molletti of Salt Lake City, Utah; and three grandchildren, Lisa and Alyson Shontell and Aimee Knecht.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 6, in St. Agnes Church in Niantic. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Calling hours are from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home, 48 Grand St., Niantic.

Memorial contributions maybe made to Hospice of Southeastern Connecticut, 179 Gallivan Lane, Uncasville CT 06382.

Please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com for directions or to send an online condolence message to the family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Day on Jul. 2, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for William Shontell

14 Entries

Mark & Patti Jo Maillett

July 5, 2006

Bill, Bob, and Joan,

We are so sorry for your loss. Your father was a special man, a wonderful neighbor and a very proud father. We hope that fond memories will bring you peace.

Jennifer Bergeron

July 5, 2006

This guest book is a great tribute to a wonderful man. I didn't get to spend lots of time with Uncle Bill but the time I did will stay with me always. He was so good natured, fun, & loving. He made others feel so comfortable around him. I know he is happy to be with Aunt Joey once again. But we will miss him as we miss her. They will live on in all of us who knew them. Kim, Jason & I send our sympathies to the Shontell family.

Love, Jen

Wedding Day June 18, 1951

July 5, 2006

CBS Lumber Grand Opening 8/17/1959

July 5, 2006

Buckley High School 1949

July 5, 2006

Bill Shontell 1951

July 5, 2006

Bill Zorzanello

July 4, 2006

Bill and all the Shontell Family -

My deepest sympathies at the passing of your father. I remember him as a friendly and supportive person. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Kim Brackett

July 4, 2006

Whenever bumping into your dad, he always made me feel that he couldn't be happier to see me and hear the news about our kids and what was going on in our lives. He always reminded me of Ward Cleaver on Leave It To Beaver and your mom was June Cleaver. I know that you have many, many memories to laugh over and to remember his spunk and stubborness. I know that you will always be greatful for such a wonderful father.

Mike Ramistella

July 4, 2006

Bill, Bob and Joan

My deepest sympathy goes out to you. Bill was a great man and will always be remembered.

Jeannine Sicard Smith

July 3, 2006

I was so saddened to hear of Mr Shontell's passing. He truly was one of my favorite people when I worked for the vna. I admired his strength, courage, stubborness and sense of humor. I was priviledged to meet his entire family and beautiful wife, Josie. My prayers are with all of his children. Much love, Jeannine

Norman Molletti

July 2, 2006

I will miss my Uncle Bill. Even though my Parents moved us to Ca. in 1959 I was able to keep in touch throughout the years. When I breifly moved to Ct. during 1972 as a Teenager I stayed with my Uncle Bill and Aunt Joe. I will always remember our long talks about life. Uncle Bill offered me the same advice as he gave all his succesfull kids. We had great debates about the value of a College Education. I have been very successfull in my field with out one but always wondered where I would be if I had followed his advice. I wish my Dad had been more like my Uncle Bill. Uncle Bill was very motivated about keeping his kids on a successfull path. My Cousins are so lucky to have had such a wonderfull Dad. It was an honor to have known such a great Man and Father. I will miss our conversations. I am sure he is happy now with my Aunt Joe and they are both watching all of us.

Joseph Bobinski

July 2, 2006

Bill, Bob and Joan

My heartfelt sympathy in the passing of you father. I remember all the good times growing up in Niantic when you lived on Hopkins Drive. Your father was always there for organizing the annual labor day picnics we use to have. The most amazing thing I can remember was was when we made the skating rink on the property that would eventually be one of your homes. God bless you and your family during this time of sorrow

Robert Weir

July 2, 2006

My deepest sympathies do not adequately express my thoughts. Simply stated, I love my Uncle Bill and I know he is with his bride, my Aunt Joey. Their wedding was my favorite wedding of years ago, and we will all be together someday. I recall as it were yesterday with all the New London and Phildelphia Family playing instruments and singing at the party/reception @ Nanu's house following the wedding.

Thanks to Uncle Bill & Aunt Joey for bringing my Cuz Joni and family so close on the internet. We love Bill, Aimee and Joni so much and my deep sympathies to them.

My prayers are with you.

Love,

Bobby

Joan Shontell Knecht

July 2, 2006

Dad:

Thanks for always being there and putting us first over yourself. You gave us your opinions (yes you had lot's of them) and steered us through life. I'll miss our 5:30 phone calls on my ride home from work and all our IM conversations about Time Warner stock doing so poorly and couldn't I work a little harder to get the stock price up :)

Your grit and determination was present all your life, from opening CBS Lumber at such a young age to battling cancer. You never complained, you just carried on.

Thanks for sharing a last cup of coffee and walk with Billy, Bobby and I that last day. It is a lasting memory for all of us.

We'll miss you Dad.

Love,

Joni

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