Mark Derry Williams

Mark Derry Williams, 70, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2024, at Middlesex Hospital in the presence of his wife Nancy, sister Derrilyn and brother-in-law Steve Robertson. In addition to these, he is survived by his daughters Brynna LeBlanc and Erica Henry, his brother Greg Williams and wife Donna, his two granddaughters, Quinn and Emersyn LeBlanc, and his sister-in-law Julie Williams. He was predeceased by a brother, Stewart Williams.

Mark was employed as a chef with Eurest Dining, working on site at Kaman Aerospace in Cromwell and retiring in 2016. Shoreline residents may better remember him as a gifted singer and actor who performed with numerous local theatrical groups including Clinton Family Theatre, Nutmeg Players, Chester Meetinghouse Players and others. He was a member of the choir at First Congregational Church in Old Saybrook, where he met his wife; they were married there in 2004.

A native of Traverse City, Michigan, Mark never lost his enthusiasm for all things Michigan, especially the football team of Michigan University. He was a music major at Western Michigan University and a vocalist at Interlochen National Music Camp. At age 16 he toured Europe with an award-winning choral group from Michigan. Before moving to Old Saybrook he lived in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was very active in theatres there and in Wisconsin. Once a Connecticut resident, he became an avid fan of the U Conn women’s basketball teams as well as the Patriots football team.

A memorial service and celebration of Mark’s life will be held at the Westbrook Congregational Church (1166 Boston Post Road Westbrook, CT 06498 (860-399-9367) on Saturday, February 10 at 10 A.M. Interment will take place at a later date in the Memorial Garden of First Congregational Church, Old Saybrook.