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William H. Manee, of Clinton, passed away Feb. 26 surrounded by his loved ones, after a long struggle with cancer. He was born on Feb. 15, 1932, son of the late William N. Manee and Marie Harlow Manee.

Among his many accomplishments in life, he served his country enlisting in the Navy; volunteered for the Essex Fire Department; and after a long career with CL&P, he took an early retirement as a lineman to enjoy his true passion, fishing.

“Uncle Bill” as many knew him didn’t just love fishing, he lived fishing. As a commercial shad fisherman many years ago, Bill set drift nets at night, boned his catch, and sent the shad fillets to the Fulton Fish market in New York City. He was interviewed and filmed for a Connecticut River Museum documentary, A Passion for Shad. He was a teacher and mentor to many lucky anglers. He had unique techniques for catching stripers, blues, fluke, and any other fish found in the Sound. He was known as the “King of Crappies.” Bill could read the water of a pond or lake and figure out exactly where the elusive fish would be found.

Mother Earth provides for her realm, but if you wanted to learn about any creature that swims in the water or lives in the woods, Bill was truly our “Father Nature.”

William was predeceased by his wife Helen Manee; and his daughter Teresa Manee. He leaves behind his daughter Robin Tuthill and husband Bruce of Middletown; stepdaughters Donna Page of Clinton, Elizabeth Yaglowski and husband Stephen of Killingworth, and Kelly Schulz and James Lanouette of Deep River; grandchildren Adam Taylor, wife Jena, Tyler Schulz, wife Alexa, Casey Meilleur, husband Jonathan, Sarah Yaglowski, and Robert and Michael Lanouette; and three beautiful great-grandchildren. He is survived by his loving partner Fannie M. Koller, who has loved him for many years; and many special friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 14 at 2 p.m., at the Deep River Ambulance, 284 Elm St., Deep River.