United States Air Force Veteran Douglas E. Wilson, Sr. of Monroe, Passed Away

Monroe, CT — Douglas E. Wilson, Sr. of Monroe, passed away on July 10, 2016.

He is survived by his wife Frances, sons Douglas Jr. (Jann), Jeff(Terri), Todd & Scottand grandchildren Colby, Cali, Matthew, Olivia & Miles and several nieces & nephews.

Doug was born in Bridgeport and graduated from Central High School. He attended Bullard HavenTechnical School where he earned his graduate apprentice as a precision tool maker. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1955 and was assigned to the 5039 ABW, where he was stationed at Westover AFB, Westover MA, Elmendorf AFB Anchorage, Alaskaand later to Plattsburgh AFB, New York, until being honorably discharged as Corporal. He returned to Bridgeport, married Frances and started to raise their family.

He was elected president of the PTA at Thomas Hooker School in 1965. They later moved to Monroe in 1967.Doug worked at Avco Lycoming in Stratford for 35 years. He also worked at Air-Lock Inc in Milford, the company that designs the helmet locking seal used for the space suits on lunar missions.The prototype for which he was involved is on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. He had also worked at Charter Arms in Stratford, The Bullard Company in Bridgeport and Abbott Coin Company in Stamford.

Doug had been a Mason and a Shriner for over 60 years. Starting at Fidelity Saint-Johns #3 in Fairfield, he entered Apprentice in 1954 and earned his Master Degree and became a Master Mason in the same year. He later became Master of the Lodge in 1965. At Washington Lodge #19 in Monroe, he served as Chaplin, The Pyramid Shrine Lodge #9 in Stratford where he was "Boss Klown" of the Pyramid Shrine Klown Unit for two terms. He was also the Connecticut Ambassador for the Arizona Masonic lodges.

Doug found his true calling when he became a Pyramid Shriner Klown. Known throughout the community as "Willie The Klown." He would find no greater joy than donating his time marching in parades, visiting children's hospitals, school functions and many other charity events to raise money for The Shriners Children Hospital. In fact, "Willie" received the Red Nose Award (a recognition for a minimum of 150 hours of volunteer service per year) three years in a row.

In 2015, he also received the Service Above Self Award from the Rotary Club in Monroe for all of the volunteer work he has done in the community. He was also an EMT and an active member of St. Peter's Church in Monroe.

Doug was never one to sit still. When he wasn't out (as he would say) "clowning around" he would always be working on "something", whether it was home renovations, doing yard work or tending to his prized rose bushes. Doug and Fran enjoyed spending time with the family. They would always be at sporting events, going to see their sons bands play, fishing trips & traveling to Arizona. You are going to be greatly missed, Pop. The lives that you touched are many and the smiles that you brought are endless. We love you.

A memorial service was held on Friday, July 15 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church 175 Old Tannery Road, Monroe. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Shriners Hospital Springfield 2428 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06615. Or contact Barry Ronner at 203-536-8388. Online condolences may be made at www.spadaccinofuneralhome.com.