William Mudano

William “Mud” Mudano, 79, passed away peacefully on Sunday (January 8, 2023). Bill was born in Hartford and was predeceased by his parents Anthony and Katherine (Dawkins) Mudano, his beloved wife Karen (Torgerson) Mudano and son-in-law Kenneth P. Langevin. Bill and Karen met as students at Southern CT State University and were married for 45 years before Karen’s untimely passing (2009). Together, they cultivated a warm and welcoming home for countless friends and raised three children, Kerri (Langevin), Bill, and Jennifer (Zygulski), in Canton.

Bill attended East Hartford High School and was a graduate of Worcester Academy (Class of ‘63). He excelled athletically and was a member of the varsity football and baseball teams at SCSU where he ultimately received both a B.P.E. (1970) and M.P.Ed. (1979).

Bill was a passionate educator, coach, and athletic director at Canton High School from 1971-1988. He coached both the Canton Warrior’s basketball and golf teams, and his team’s numerous accomplishments included State and conference Championships titles; and being honored as Farmington Valley Coach of the year several times. Bill was proud to serve as Canton’s first Title IX Officer and presided over 16 school state championships as Canton’s Athletic Director. Undoubtedly, Bill’s proudest coaching opportunities included coaching his son Billy, an All-State selection in 1987, and his beloved son-in-law, Ken Langevin.

In 1988, Bill retired from education to launch the Nutmeg State Games. During Bill’s 30 years as Executive Director, more than 125,000 athletes, along with thousands of coaches and volunteers, participated in the “Games.” Bill was deeply proud of the Nutmeg Games. It allowed him to do what he was best at - being the consummate team player and overall motivator.

Bill was also a fanatical golfer who was introduced to the game by his father, and he in turn introduced it to countless others. He spent his life playing courses from coast to coast with dear friends. It seemed there was not a course he did not play or a professional golf tournament which he had not attended. However, the course closest to his heart was the East Hartford Golf Club. A student of the game and ever the coach, Bill was always willing to offer a golf lesson during an outing to anyone in his foursome unless of course there was a “match” on the line.

Family was Bill’s pride and joy. He thoroughly enjoyed attending his children’s and seven grandsons’ many sporting events. Bill is survived by his daughter, Kerri M. Langevin of West Hartford, his son, William A. Mudano of Suffield; his daughter, Jennifer M. Zygulski and her husband, Scott, of Coventry; his daughter-in-law, Giuliana Mudano of Suffield; his seven grandsons, Kyle G., Matthew W. and, Peter G. Langevin, Joshua W., Ethan F. Mudano, Samuel A. and William H. Zygulski; his devoted sister and tireless caregiver, Antoinette Woerle and her husband Robert of Hebron, brother in law, Leverett Torgerson and wife Ellen of Branford, brother in law, Peter Torgerson and his wife Sharon of Walpole, MA and a sister in law, Paula Torgerson and her partner William Schaeffer of Branford, and lifelong friend Ray Ramsey; as well as several nieces, nephews; and many dear friends, and colleagues who will all miss his masterful storytelling, his entertaining sense of humor and his infectious laugh.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, January 18, 2023 with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church 285 Church Street, Hartford. Burial will follow at Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. (Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Wednesday morning). Relatives and friends may call at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 from 3-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to CurePSP, 1216 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001 (https://www.psp.org/); or to Hartford HealthCare Hospice Group, 100 Pearl Street, Hartford, CT 06103 (https://hartfordhealthcareathome.org/donate). For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com.