Obituary of William Sullivan Kovel

OBITUARIES William Sullivan Kovel, 78, died on Sunday July 31, 2005 in Foley, Alabama. Bill was born on December 17, 1926 in New Britain, Connecticut, son of Walter and Margaret (Sullivan) Kovel. He graduated from Admiral Billard Academy in New London, CT in 1944 and after two years of duty in thr US Navy he graduated in 1950 from Holy Cross College with a B.S. in Business Administration. In 1949 he married Audrey Kraus (deceased in 1971) and they had three sons and a daughter. Through the years Bill held various managerial positions at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, the Univac Division of Sperry Rand, and Babcock & Wilcox in Manhattan and resided in Milford, Connecticut, Mamaroneck and Greenwich. He closed his career in New Orleans with J. Ray McDermott where he held the position of Director of Compensation. In 1992 he retired and had a home in Gulf Shores, Alabama and two homes in New London, Connecticut. Following in his pianist Mother�s footsteps, Bill enjoyed life to the fullest entertaining friends as an amateur song-and-dance man who reveled in singing and playing the piano at every opportunity. At one time he owned five pianos. He knew all the verses of old songs and would conduct impromptu sing-a-longs for groups of pals whenever he could. He "Rolled out the Barrel� thousands of times on the piano and "had a barrel of fun� throughout life. He owned a Model A Ford and frequently filled the car with laughing children to drive in various parades. While his children were young the family spent summers at Point O� Woods Beach in South Lyme, Connecticut, swimming, water-skiing and sinking their famous skiff, the Andrea Doria. His full life was enriched by the love he shared with Alice Berardi in his last years. Survivors include Alice Berardi, his sons Dr. William S. Jr. of New London, Connecticut, Peter S. of Houston, Matthew S. and his wife Joann of Cos Cob, Connecticut, a daughter Frances K. Donlon and her husband William of Carmel, New York, two grandchildren Christopher and Kelly, a sister Nancy Dedera of Scottsdale, Arizona, a brother Daniel S. of York Village, Maine and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Friday with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. at St. Maurice Church 100 Wightman Road New Britain,CT. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Visitation will be Friday from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the Mass at the Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin Sq. New Britain. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society 538 Preston Ave. Meriden, CT 06450.