William W. Fish ’66 died on February 18, 2024, in Westbrook, Connecticut.
(The following was provided by the family of William Fish:)
William W. Fish died on February 18, 2024, at The Connecticut Hospice overlooking his beloved Long Island Sound. He was born on November 12, 1944, in Brunswick, ME.
The son of Caroline and Chauncey Fish, Bill grew up with his sister, Mardrey, in Fairfield, CT, and Syosset, NY. He attended Bowdoin College and graduated in 1966 with a degree in biology and psychology. In his senior year, he met his future wife, Carolyn Davis, through an early version of computer dating called Operation Match. Carolyn and Bill married on September 26, 1970, and enjoyed fifty-three years of life together.
Bill often reminisced about his Bowdoin years. He recounted with awe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s visit and speech at Bowdoin in 1964. Bill also often revisited the memory of the fire that broke out early in the construction phase of the Senior Center (now Coles Tower). As he and his friend Bob Porter stood nearby, then president of the college James Coles ran up and uttered some colorful language that made a lasting impression on both Bill and Bob. Bill had fond memories of time spent with his fraternity brothers at TD (Theta Delta Chi) and treasured the life-long friendships that were formed during this time. Finally, Bill and Carolyn had their first date on Ivies Weekend at the end of his senior year, which included dancing in the TD basement and attending a concert by Simon and Garfunkel, who performed in the Sargent Gymnasium. Bill was a member of a proud Bowdoin family, including his uncle Stan (1922), father Chauncey (1925), cousin Stan (1960), daughter Amy (1994), son David (1998), daughter-in-law Elizabeth (2001), and cousin Kimberly (2014).
Bill served honorably in the United States Navy from 1966 until 1969, completing two active-duty tours aboard the destroyer USS Everett Larsen during the Vietnam War. He served as the ship’s navigator, gunnery officer, and drone helicopter controller. When he returned home, he remained in the Reserves, retiring with the rank of lieutenant.
Following his military service, Bill earned an MBA in finance from the University at Albany. He then embarked on a distinguished career, initially specializing in municipal bond research with Bankers Trust Co., Donaldson, Lufkin, & Jenrette, and ABN Amro. During his nineteen-year tenure at DLJ, he led the research group for ten years and was voted top analyst by Institutional Investor from 1990-94. Bill spent fifteen years with American International Group, serving as head of municipal investments and then Chief Investment Officer. From 2012 to 2016 he served as a member of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.
Following his retirement, Bill volunteered to spearhead the LED Streetlight Conversion Project for his hometown of Westbrook, CT. His efforts saved the town a considerable sum of money, but just as importantly to Bill, continue to decrease energy use. Additionally, he volunteered for many other organizations throughout his life, including Boy Scouts of America, the Rowayton Civic Association, the United Church of Rowayton, and the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme.
Bill’s family and his faith were the cornerstones of his life. He was a member of both the United Church of Rowayton and the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Fish, his children Amy and David Fish, daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Feeherry, son-in-law, Edward Lott, and his cherished grandchildren, Sarah Lott, Abigail Lott, Caroline Fish, and William Fish. Bill treasured his relationships with his extended family. He enjoyed spending time with them at Old Kelsey Point in Westbrook, CT, and at family reunions in Freeport, ME.
In his leisure time, Bill found joy in sailing and swimming in Long Island Sound, completing do-it-yourself projects around the house, photographing nature, and traveling with family. Bill was known as a life-long learner who delighted in learning new things and sharing his knowledge with family and friends.
Bill was diagnosed with ALS in 2020 and was fortunate to have the VA CT Interdisciplinary ALS Clinic oversee his medical needs. He received excellent care throughout, first at home from his wife, Carolyn, and then by the amazing staff at The Connecticut Hospice in Branford, CT. He was known by all who cared for him during this time as someone not defined by his illness, but as someone who remained positive and grateful. Bill was particularly thankful for, and was sustained by, the many conversations he had with family, friends, and caregivers.