Dr. William (T. 'Bill') Sherman

Dr. William T. ‘Bill’ Sherman, 82 years of age, of The Villages, FL, West Hartford, CT, and Nantucket, MA passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 16, 2018. He was the beloved husband of Samantha (Theriault) Sherman. Born in Hartford, CT, he was the son of the late George J and Lottie K (Kovarsky) Sherman.

Bill always followed his own path and lived an amazing life. He was a vibrant individual who loved life and people surrounding him. He was a true and giving friend to many. He loved telling stories and jokes. He was a loving family man, stepfather to his wife Samantha’s two grown children and grandfather to their children. He was raised in West Hartford and was a graduate of Hall High School and the University of Connecticut. Bill continued his education at Tufts School of Dental Medicine D’62. He proudly entered the U.S. Air Force, where he learned to fly, and served for six years as a Captain in the Air Force dental service. He practiced Dentistry in West Hartford, CT for 55 years and served 12 years as a visiting clinical professor at UConn’s School of Dental Medicine. For many years he was the leader of the Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity in Connecticut, and also served as its international regent, director and trustee. He was a commercial pilot who held instrument and multiengine ratings. He had flown his dream plane, the P-51 Mustang, and was still flying his own Cessna Cardinal airplane to Nantucket where he had bought a “little Nantucket dollhouse” near the center of town in 1982. He also had a fleet of Radio Control airplanes that he built and flew in CT and FL where he was an instructor pilot to many. He was an avid golfer. He had served as President of the UConn Alumni Association - Hartford Chapter and as a member of the UConn Alumni Board of Directors for many years. He was the founder of the UConn Sports Club – The Villages, a member of Red Sox Nation, Jewish War Veterans, the American Legion and numerous flying clubs and other organizations.

An avid UConn football, basketball and baseball fan, in the 1990s, he became a major donor to the University of Connecticut to help build an athletic facility named after his father, the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex. In 2004, his generosity allowed the opening of the George J Sherman and Lottie K Sherman Museum of Jewish Civilization at the University of Hartford. His recent major gift to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine will go toward an exciting new project slated to break ground later this winter, allowing the school to undertake an extensive renovation of the lobby at the dental school.

In addition to his wife, Samantha, Bill is survived by his stepson, Christopher Hale Smith and his fiancé Estella, of Cambridge Springs, PA; a stepdaughter Carrie Leigh Waskowicz and her husband Alan, of Southington, CT; his adored grandchildren, Caleigh M. Waskowicz, Zachary A. Waskowicz, Jared C. Smith, Tara Smith, Beth Ingram, and Mark Ingram; his sister, Susan H. Sherman of Newington, CT; and his cousin Robert Sherman and his wife Kim Sawyer of Boston, MA. In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by his brother Richard H. Sherman.

Funeral services will take place at 1:00 pm on Friday, August 24, 2018 in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave., Hartford, CT with Rabbi Howard Herman officiating. Interment, with full military honors, will follow in Fairview Cemetery, 200 Whitman Ave., West Hartford, CT. The family will receive relatives and friends at 14 Old Brook Road, West Hartford, CT immediately following the interment, and on Sunday, August 27th from 1 – 5 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation or to a charity of the donor’s choice. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Bill, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.