William “Bill” Erwin Buckridge, 80, of Essex passed at sunrise on Nov. 9 at Middlesex Memorial Hospital in Middletown. Bill was born Feb. 17, 1941, in Centerbrook to Irwin Buckridge and Leah (Doane) Buckridge. Bill worked for the Lee Company in Westbrook for 45 years. He retired as the vice president of the Restrictor Group. Bill was very active in his community. He retired from the Essex Volunteer Fire Department having held the rank of assistant chief and deputy chief. There he received a Lifetime Achievement Award. He was active with the Essex Ambulance Association as an emergency medical technician and as a board member. He was also on the Board of Directors for Valley Shore Emergency Communications for more than 20 years, where he served as president and later as the chairman of the Finance Committee. He was also the director of Emergency Management for the town of Essex.

In 2004, Bill humbly received the Chief Michael L. Green Award for outstanding service to his community. He was a lifetime member of the Westbrook Elks, the Essex Boat Club, the Rhode Island Fish and Game Club, and the Niantic Fish and Game Club. Bill enjoyed reading, NASCAR, and spending time with his family.

Bill is survived by his loving family: wife Bette of 58 years; their daughter Michelle (Buckridge) Brassington and her husband Joseph and their two sons, Carter and Sean; Bill’s twin sons Christopher Buckridge, wife Bethany, and their daughters Emma and Genevieve and Jeffrey Buckridge, his wife Brenda, and their children Jacob and Ashley. Bill was an amazing husband, father, and protector of his family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Essex Fire Department and the Essex Ambulance Association. Services will be privately held by the family. To share a memory of Bill or send condolence to his family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.

“...surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” —Psalms 23