Obituary of William M. Broneill

William Martin Broneill, 80, of Manchester, Connecticut passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 17, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. 

Born August 29, 1940 in Manchester, Connecticut to the late William B. and Eleanor R. (Luce) Broneill, Bill was a lifelong Manchester resident, graduating from Manchester High School in 1958, the University of Connecticut with a BA in 1963 and the University of Connecticut School of Law with a JD in 1966. 

After working his way through college and law school as the front end manager of the old Manchester Stop & Shop, Bill was ordered to active duty in the U.S. Army.  Initially assigned to an artillery unit on a missile site on Okinawa, he was soon selected to serve as a Legal Officer in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate and to be the Chief Prosecutor of the U.S. Sessions Court.  It was on Okinawa that he met Nancy, his wife of 50 years.  After serving abroad, where he earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal he returned to Manchester, where he raised his family and practiced law for over 50 years.  He served for a time in the 1970s as Assistant Town Attorney and then Town Attorney, but spent most of his career in private practice.  He loved working with people and would go into the office daily right up until he was no longer able to. 

Outside of work Bill had numerous interests:  growing flowers and vegetables in “the field” behind his home on Princeton Street with wonderful neighbors whom his wife called the “Five O’clock Farmers,” dabbling in real estate investing, voraciously consuming the news, and admiring classic automobiles at car shows (he could identify the make and model of almost any car).  He was active in many local organizations and was always lending a hand with his sons’ activities, whether it be coaching youth sports or helping out as a Scout leader.  He enjoyed his monthly lunch date with dear friends and going out for breakfast on Sunday mornings.  Bill loved humming, whistling, singing, learning to play guitar and singing along to live Irish folk music whenever he could.  In the summer, he could be found on Cape Cod, drinking coffee on the porch of the Brewster Store, sunning himself on Bank Street Beach in Harwich or listening to the Boston Red Sox on the radio.  Welcoming folks to watch the Manchester Road Race at his office on Thanksgiving was an annual tradition for many years.  In the winter he passed his free time complaining about the cold and rooting for the UConn Huskies basketball teams, which he was a loyal supporter of for decades.  The highlights of his year were always Easter, the annual family reunion and any opportunity to gather with extended family.  His seven grandchildren were a source of constant delight and he loved attending their activities. 

Besides his wife Nancy, he is survived by his two sons, William R. Broneill and wife Jessica of Manchester, Andrew R. Broneill and wife Greta of Bolton, beloved grandchildren Charlie, Jack, Ingrid, Ethan, Janie, Astrid and Graeme, brother Robert E. Broneill and wife Susan of Tolland, sister Marilyn Broneill of Manchester, sister-in-law Linda Niles of Hillsboro, Oregon, sister-in-law Carol and husband Richard Traczyk of Cross Junction, Virginia, six nephews, a niece, their children, many cousins comprising a wonderful extended family, Lori-Bea (Turner) Cotto of Manchester, his Legal Assistant of over 35 years and numerous lifelong friends. 

Blessed with an amazing memory and keen intellect - and never without time to lend an ear or tell a story - Bill will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by many. 

Family and friends may call at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center St., Manchester, on Sunday, January 24 from 2 to 6 PM.  A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Monday, January 25 at 11 AM followed immediately by burial with full military honors in East Cemetery, both of which will also be live streamed at www.facebook.com/TierneyFuneralHome.  The family also plans to hold a celebration of life at a later time. 

For online condolences please visit

www.tierneyfuneralhome.com

Memorial donations may be made to Boy Scout Troop 25, 11 Center Street, Manchester, CT  06040, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.