William S. Siwik Jr.

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather William “Bill” Stanley Siwik, Jr., 83, passed away at home on North Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce, Florida on Father’s Day, June 15, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Bill was born in Greenfield, Massachusetts to William S. Siwik, Sr. and Lena Mae Durant. He was a graduate of UMass Dartmouth where he received a mechanical engineering degree and University of Hartford where he received a Master of Business Administration. He briefly worked for the Springfield Armory where he designed the mount system for the Huey mounted M60 machine gun and the Navy where he worked on rocket-fired torpedoes and test equipment.

He retired from Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, Connecticut after a 32-year design engineering career in which he was afforded many opportunities to work on a variety of projects, all challenging and different in scope, including preliminary designs of various commercial and military aircraft engine models, the Space Shuttle turbopump design, and engineering manager of the PWA composite facility.

Bill never met a problem he thought he couldn’t solve. His creativity and ingenuity led to one U.S. patent for an engine bearing component compression system, and he managed several teams whose work advanced aircraft engine technology. He prided himself on telling it like it is and communicating the facts to his bosses without hesitation.

A nearly lifelong sailor, Bill felt most alive while on the water. From the Sunfish to Manderley I, II and III, Bill and his family sailed every summer around Block Island Sound, Long Island Sound, Buzzards Bay, and Maine.  Bill and wife Dalelyne fulfilled their dream of sailing the Intracoastal Waterway from Connecticut to Marathon, Florida two times and ended up moving to Ocean Harbour North on North Hutchinson Island after discovering it while on the ICW. Bill enjoyed designing and building an 11-foot pram that he named “Jake” that he sailed for countless hours around the Indian River.

Bill shared his love of boats with his son, Andrew, with whom he collaborated on boat design, construction, repairs, structural issues, and more for Andrew’s boat building business.

The consummate jokester, Bill will be remembered most for his sense of humor. Even in the hospital Bill brought levity to his health predicament by cracking jokes – the nurses, of course, loved him.

His children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter will always appreciate how he came up with fun and educational activities to do together, like building a solar collector out of a cardboard box, shooting off handmade rockets, going on a treasure hunt complete with pirate map and buried treasure, building and hanging bird houses, and doing science projects just to name a few.

Bill took accordion lessons for many years as a youngster, which allowed him to play the piano throughout his life. He loved to play and sing the old standards by Fats Waller, George and Ira Gershwin, Will Hudson, Hoagy Carmichael, and Johnny Mercer. He believed that this music helped people get through tough times and soothe our souls.

Bill and Dalelyne were lifelong congregants and supporters of the Episcopal Church, having been members of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Manchester, Connecticut for over 50 years.

Always adventurers, they traveled near and far. Sailing the Greek Isles, Tahiti, Poland, Portugal the US National Parks and so many more.

Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years Dalelyne Worsley Siwik of North Hutchinson Island; daughter Allyson Siwik, husband Dennis O’Keefe and granddaughter Gabriela O’Keefe of New Mexico; son Douglas Siwik, wife Stacie Bilowz, and grandson Jake Siwik of Londonderry, New Hampshire;  son Andrew Siwik, wife Catherine Luman of Manchester, Connecticut and grandchildren Chelsea Siwik and great-granddaughter Mira Siwik of East Greenbush, New York; Todd Siwik and wife Caiti Appell of East Haddam, Connecticut; and Shannon Siwik of Glastonbury, Connecticut.

Bill’s passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. His legacy of kindness, helping people, and zest for life will continue to inspire those who were fortunate to know him. As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the indelible mark he left on our lives. Bill’s memory will live on forever in our hearts.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s name can be made to Tunnels to Towers https://t2t.org.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.