Obituaries

William Starr Midgley Jr.

William Starr “Bill” Midgley, Jr. of Cutchogue died at his home Sept. 26, 2014. The lifelong North Fork resident was 88 years old. He was born in Peconic, April 3, 1926, to Alberta Hull (née Howell) and William Starr Midgley, Sr. and was a graduate of Southold High School

On May 4, 1937, he married the former Olive Jean Dickerson and together they made their home in Cutchogue for many years.

 During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged  as a seaman first class.

He returned home and was an area carpenter for many years. Bill also immersed himself in community affairs.

For 18 years, he served on the Mattituck-Cutchogue School Board and for 65 years, served with the Cutchogue Fire Department where he was chief of department from 1967 to 68. He was also a member of the North Fork Fireman’s Association and the Pequash Club where he was past president.

Bill was a true patriot and a member of the greatest generation. He joined the Griswold Terry Glover American Legion Post #803 in Southold in 1946 and later served as commander. He also served as past Suffolk County commander, 4th Division commander, Sergeant at Arms and 6th District Commander.

Predeceased in 2007 by his wife Jean; he is survived by three daughters, Sandy Midgley of Hastings, Fla., Nancy Pester of Cutchogue and Dorothy Baxter of West Danville, Vt.; eight grandchildren, Sophie, Richard, Patricia, Carleton, Clifford, Danielle, Cody and Alexis; six great-grandchildren, Alicia, Zachary, Hunter, Savannah, Kennedy and Julia and a great-great-grandson: Parker William; a cousin, Ginny Hopper and two nephews: Robert Sayre and Donald Sayre.

The family received visitors Sept. 29 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold where member of the American Legion and Fire Department conducted fraternal services. Funeral services were held Sept. 30 at Cutchogue United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Thomas MacLeod officiating. Interment, with U.S. Navy honors, took place at Cutchogue Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Griswold Terry Glover American Legion Post #803 Scholarship Fund, Cutchogue Fire Department Scholarship Fund or Vermontville Scholarship Fund. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.

This is a paid notice.