Obituary of William H. Detrick

William H. "Bill" Detrick, 87, formerly of New Britain, beloved husband of Barbara (Ferguson) Detrick, died Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, at home. He was born in Newark, NJ, the son of the late William and Anna (Donahue) Detrick. He grew up in Springfield, NJ, lived many years in New Britain, CT and moved to Cromwell 18 years ago. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the United States Navy. He attended Central Connecticut State University (formerly known as Teacher's College of Connecticut) where he met his wife Barbara of 62 years. While a student there, he earned the distinction of becoming the only student athlete to earn 12 varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. His number 4 basketball jersey was retired. After college, he taught and coached in Litchfield and Middletown, CT and Irvington, NJ. The late Dr. Herbert D. Welte was influential in Detrick's return to his alma mater as a professor and coach. He became the CCSU head men's basketball coach in 1959 where he led the Blue Devils to 468 victories in 29 seasons. During his tenure he was instrumental in bringing the men's basketball program to Division I status. Upon his retirement in 1989, the William H. Detrick Gymnasium in Kaiser Hall was named in his honor. He spent 2 seasons as the men's basketball coach at the United States Coast Guard Academy. In 1991, he went on to become the men's golf coach at Trinity College for 23 seasons where he developed the golf team into one of the most successful Division III programs in New England. Throughout his coaching career, he co-owned and directed Connecticut Basketball School summer camp with Nicholas Marcarchuk for over 30 years. He returned to CCSU in 2013 as a Special Assistant to the Director of Athletics where he has been regenerating the alumni fan base for football, and men's and women's basketball. Coach Detrick was an avid golfer and a longtime member of Shuttle Meadow Country Club and Stanley Golf Course. He spent many winters in Highland Beach, FL, enjoyed yearly trips to men's college basketball Final Four tournaments, and was a loyal Red Sox fan. Among his greatest joys in life were his opportunities to mentor young students and athletes, sharing his competitive spirit and life's lessons. He would often be found on the sidelines or in the stands at various sporting events supporting his grandchildren and their friends. He adored his children and grandchildren, took great pride in their accomplishments both big and small, and treasured the moments when his whole family was together. Besides his wife Barbara, Bill is survived by his daughter Barbara Davis and her husband Stephen, his daughter Deborah Detrick, his son William Scott Detrick and his wife Candace, and his six grandchildren Patrick, Emily, and Catherine Davis and Emma, Grace, and Sarah Detrick, all of Wethersfield. He was predeceased by his sister Anne Pinney and is survived by two sisters, Marlene Koonz and Catherine McFall. Funeral services will be held Tuesday 9:00 AM from the Farrell Funeral Home, 110 Franklin Sq., New Britain with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1755 Stanley St., New Britain. Burial will be private. Visitation will be Monday from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Donations may be made to the Bill Detrick Scholarship Fund, Central Connecticut State University.