Obituary of William I. Roderick
January 13, 2022
William I. Roderick
May 12, 1942 - January 13, 2022
Bill Roderick, 79, of Mystic CT and New York died unexpectedly on January 13th at his home in New York City. He was born in Warwick RI, 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, RI, Theresa Bakula of Brookfield IL, 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, AZ, 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 RI, he was the first in his family to go to college and received a B.S. 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 MS 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.
Share a Memory
The Obituaries are currently being upgraded. Please contact us to report any issues.
I was so sadden to hear of Bill's unexpected passing. Having him with us on the 70th Birthday Committee and on our 60th Reunion Committee with those monthly meetings was such a pleasure. He was just the nicest guy. Soft spoken and always ready to help out in anyway. He forfeited a few of his online Italian classes to meet instead with us. That was so thoughtful of him. At our meetings he spoke highly of all his family and was looking forward to making the family trip to Italy. He felt badly that he would not be there for the Reunion. We are thankful he made the trip and we got to hear about it at our final gathering in November at the restaurant. Bill will be missed. My sincere condolences to all the family. Debbie(Thereault)Donahue HS Classmate
Posted by: Debbie Donahue - , - Classmate January 26, 2022
Dear Jane and Sara I am deeply saddened to hear of Bill passing. Please accept my deepest sympaty.I will always remember Bill gentle with big heart , smile and happy every time we met. A lot of good memories
Posted by: TIZIANA DE BIASI - LERICI, ITALY - Friend January 24, 2022
Bill, An ode to my best friend. It's okay to miss you. It's okay to cry. Just know I'll never forget you. This isn't a permanent goodbye. Respect and admiration were ours to share. Times of laughter lightened our days. Memories of so much everywhere. So connected in so many ways.
Posted by: Raymond Uzanas - , - Friend January 24, 2022
Dear Jane and Family, Dan and I mourn the loss of our dearest friend, Bill Our hearts are broken from his premature passing. Bill's gentle nature and beautiful soul saw only the best in everyone. We take comfort in having forty years of wonderful memories--the years of Friday night pasta dinners with fellow NUWC friends and the incredible hospitality that he and Jane offered both in Italy and their Stonington home. But most of all, my dear friend, I remember the occasional nights that you accompanied me to a movie giving me a much-appreciated reprieve from parenting three active children. There are not enough words to express how your gracious and kind heart touched all of our lives and lifted us to a better place. Our sincere condolences, Dan and Carol Viccione
Posted by: Dan and Carol Viccione - East Greenwich, Rhode Island - Friend January 23, 2022
Dearest Jane and Sara, Please accept our sincere condolences for your terrible loss. What a gift Bill was for us and how lucky we were to know him! He was a kind, gentle, and compassionate man. His wonderful memories will always be in our hearts and our minds. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Posted by: Nasrin, Majid, Nunush - , - Friend January 22, 2022
Great times in Larici, Italy.
Posted by: Nunush and Nasrin - , - Friend January 22, 2022
Dearest Jane and Sara, Please accept our sincere condolences for your terrible loss. What a gift Bill was for us and how lucky we were to know him. He was a kind, gentle, and compassionate man. His wonderful memories will always be in our hearts and our minds. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Posted by: Nunush, Majid, and Nasrin - , - Friend January 22, 2022
Dearest Jane and family, We thank God for having known Bill, albeit it for a short time. His light was so bright and loving. We pray for your comfort and beautiful memories of such an honorable soul who has returned to Allah. May He be pleased with his life. Love.
Posted by: Gary and Rhonda - , - Friend January 22, 2022
Dear Jane and family So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I met Bill though my dad Emil, as they were fellow scientists at NUSL. Bill was not only well accomplished, but very compassionate and kind. Great loss of a good man.
Posted by: Janice Soderberg Silva - , - Friend January 21, 2022