William Joseph Washburn

EAST CANAAN — William Joseph Washburn, 74, of 121 Lower Road, died at his home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 11, 2025. He was the husband of Anna (Ostrander) Washburn. Bill was born Sept. 2, 1950 in Southington, Connecticut, son of the late Benjamin and Marie (Roy) Washburn.

Bill worked at Becton and Dickinson Company in Canaan. He was an engineer with the company and retired after 31 years of employment. He served for four years in the Air Force Reserve. His hobbies. included music, guitars, camping and going to races. His most precious time was spent at his home along with his family. A close second was time spent in Billville, his garage, where he spent hours working on his 1970 Roadrunner.

In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by his children; daughters Katherine Andrews and her husband Stanley, Ashley Washburn and her fiance’ Keith Tyler, and son Tyler Washburn and his wife Shelby all of East Canaan. Bill is also survived by his sister Lynn Perotti of Bristol, and his three grandchildren; Morgan and Megan Andrews and Casey William Washburn, all of East Canaan, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours were held on Saturday Feb. 15, 2025, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main St. Canaan, CT 06018. A service of Remembrance was held at 3:00 p.m.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be sent to the American School for the Deaf 139 North Main St. West Hartford, CT 06107.

Latest News

A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

Whenever I need to get a quick but scenic bicycle ride but don’t have time to organize a group ride that involves driving to a meeting point, I just turn right out of my driveway. That begins a 32-mile loop through some of the prettiest scenery in northern Litchfield County.

I ride south on Undermountain Road (Route 41 South) into Salisbury and turn right on Main Street (Route 44 West). If I’m meeting friends, we gather at the parking area on the west side of Salisbury Town Hall where parking is never a problem.

Keep ReadingShow less
Biking Ancramdale to Copake

This is a lovely ride that loops from Ancramdale north to Copake and back. At just over 23 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a perfect route for intermediate recreational riders and takes about two hours to complete.It’s entirely on quiet roads with little traffic, winding through rolling hills, open countryside, picturesque farms and several lakes.

Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of farmstands that are worth a quick visit. There is only one hill that might be described as steep, but it is quite short — probably less than a quarter-mile.

Keep ReadingShow less
North East town records brought into the digital age

Chris Virtuoso reorganized parcel records in the North East Town Hall basement by parcel number during the process of scanning and digitizing the documents.

Photo by Grace DeMarco

MILLERTON — Within the walls of the two-story Victorian housing the North East Town Hall lies a room-full of town records dating back to the late 19th century. Stored in labeled cardboard boxes and protected by dehumidifiers, the records are in the process of being dated, organized, and scanned into categorized online programs.

As the Town Hall works to relocate to 5603 Route 22 at the former Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, the consolidation and digitalization of records, as well as the disposal of those unneeded, is a time-sensitive project. Marcy Wheatley, the Deputy Town Clerk, emphasized their current heavy focus on organizing and scanning. “Now, when we move, we can get rid of a lot,” Wheatley stated.

Keep ReadingShow less
Fun, food and facts bring crowds to downtown Millerton

Nora Garcia, 6, of Millerton, bottom right, gets a face painting treatment from Maddy Rowe, a Webutuck High School senior. Nora’s sister, Juliana, 8, top right, is decorated by Giana Kall, a Webutuck senior. The program was sponsored by the Webutuck PTA.

Photo by John Coston

Correction: the Millerton News Street Fair was a collaborative effort between the Millerton News, the Millerton Business Alliance and the North East Community Center.

MILLERTON — Locals and visitors packed into downtown Millerton Saturday, June 28, for the first ever Millerton Street Fair hosted by the Millerton News, the Millerton Business Alliance and the North East Community Center. Representatives from local nonprofits, businesses along Main Street, Bee Bee the Clown and face painters from Webutuck High School drew in crowds all afternoon.

Keep ReadingShow less