Obituary of William A. Nimke

Former Bridgeport Resident William Allen Bill Nimke, of Thiensville, Wisconsin, formerly of Bridgeport, found peace after a long illness Friday, March 10, 2006 at age 84. He was the beloved husband of 52 years to Marie Ann (nee DeFina) Nimke, father of William Joseph Nimke and his wife, Melissa, dear grandfather of Meridith, Evan, Charles and William Philip. Bill was born in Torrington, Connecticut on January 3, 1922 and graduated from Torrington High School. He completed a post-secondary year at Suffield Academy in Connecticut. From 1940 to 1943, Bill worked as a tool and diemaker at the Union Hardware Company in Torrington. He was inducted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served in World War II as an Electricians Mate, Second Class. While serving aboard the U.S.S. Portent in the Mediterranean, his ship was sunk after hitting a mine. In recognition of his military service, Bill received an American Theater Medal, a European Theater Medal, and a Victory Medal. After his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946, Bill attended night school and later received an engineering degree from Bridgeport Engineering Institute. He was employed by the Remington Arms Company in Bridgeport as a mechanical engineer for 45 years. As a young man, Bill was widely known as a drummer in several jazz bands. He owned an extensive collection of original jazz music. Throughout his life, Bill was known as the man who could fix anything. His hobbies included repairing and restoring antique clocks, gardening, music, and coin collecting. Funeral Information Funeral services will take place on Friday, March 17, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. from the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 10:00 a.m. in St. Augustine Cathedral, Bridgeport for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Torrington. Friends may call on Thursday from 4-7 p.m.