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William Scarpa

William “Bill” Lewis Scarpa, 86, a longtime resident of Guilford, passed away peacefully on Oct. 24, 2024, about one year after the death of his beloved wife of 60 years, Carol. He was born in New Haven on Oct. 1, 1938, to Mary (D’Amato) and William Scarpa. Bill leaves behind his brother, Dominic Scarpa, as well as his two children, son Paul Scarpa and his wife Maria Liebl Scarpa of Guilford, and daughter Susan Hebert and her husband Keith Hebert of Oregon. Poppy Bill was the adored grandfather of Nina and Julian Scarpa and Jack and Paige Hebert.

Bill honorably served in the U.S. Navy on the submarine USS Cavalla from 1956 to 1960. He then obtained degrees in electrical engineering and fire science at the University of New Haven and enjoyed a long career as a professional engineer at United Illuminating and its subsidiary Precision Power, Inc., which Bill was instrumental in founding.

Bill was passionate about his many hobbies, including traveling the globe from Siberia to Africa and riding his motorcycles all over the country. He was a prize-winning hunter and shark fisherman, earning the nickname “Sharky.” Some of his most cherished memories were made during his exploits with lifelong friends who were truly family.

In his later years, he was regularly seen at the Guilford Sportsmen’s Association, giving generously of his time to the organization that he loved, accompanied by his loyal chocolate Labrador Retriever, Lucy. His most joyous times were spent with his grandchildren: adventures during visits to the Pacific Northwest, passing down his fishing skills and knowledge of the outdoors, and proudly attending every ceremony, school event, recital, activity, and baseball game he could, camera in hand.

His funeral procession will leave at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, from the Porto Funeral Home, 234 Foxon Road (Route 80), East Haven. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. in the St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish at Our Lady of Pompeii Church. Military Honors will take place following Mass. Burial will be private at a later date. Friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m. on Nov. 16. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bill’s honor may be made to the Guilford Sportsmen’s Association, P.O. Box 435, North Branford, CT 06471. Sign Bill’s guestbook online at www.portofuneralhomes.net.