William D. Tripp, Sr. passed away peacefully on November 7, 2017 after losing a heroic battle to cancer. Bill, as he was known, was born in Taunton, MA April 28, 1943 to Lester G. and Mildred (Marsch) Tripp. He graduated from Taunton High School in 1961 and soon-thereafter enlisted in the US Air Force to become a machinist. The Air Force, however, had other plans and sent him to Firefighting school, a vocation which turned out to be his calling. In 1963 he married the love of his life, Geraldine, and moved her to Oscoda, MI where he was then stationed and was serving his country as a Crash Rescue Firefighter. There, they welcomed their son William, Jr. After the Air Force, Bill found employment as a Crash Rescue Firefighterat Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and moved the small family to Connecticut where they welcomed into the world their son Matthew and later, their son Jeremy. Bill and Gerri made their home in Willington, CT while their sons were young. In 1975 they finally settled in Tolland, CT where they remained. Bill joined the Tolland Fire Volunteer Department in 1976 and remained active with them for 28 years. Following his career at Pratt & Whitney, Bill found employment with NERAC in Tolland and remained with them for 12 years until his retirement. Amid all that he found time to attend the State of CT’s first Haz-Mat training courses, receiving many certifications and eventually becoming a Haz-Mat instructor himself. As instructor he taught classes on Haz-Mat at the Connecticut State Fire Academy and at many towns in the area. After retirement Bill and Gerri became active in the Tolland Senior Center where they formed many friendships. Bill loved travelling and was fascinated by Alaska. He and Gerri managed to take a trip of a lifetime there after retirement. He loved automobiles and restored many over the years, the last of which was a 1915 Model T which he restored with his son Matt. He enjoyed woodworking as a hobby and built many projects. He had a natural curiosity of all things, especially mechanical things, a trait which he passed to his sons Bill is predeceased by his parents Lester and Mildred. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Geraldine (Allard) Tripp; his sister Marsha Marden and her husband Jim; his son William Tripp and his wife Ellen of Coventry, CT; his son Matthew Tripp of Burlington Flats, NY; his son Jeremy Tripp and his wife Sarah Brander of VanHornesville, NY; the light of his life, his granddaughter Elaine(Ellie) Tripp of Coventry, CT; as well as many brothers-in-law,sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and a large circle of friends and neighbors, all of whom will miss him deeply. Relatives and friends may join the family on Friday, November 10, 2017 between 4pm-7pm at the Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Merrow Road, Tolland, CT. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 11am the United Congregational Church of Tolland, 45 Tolland Green, Tolland. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Tolland Volunteer Fire Department, Tolland, CT, 06084. For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com.

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