Brian Bancroft-Billlings

After a long illness, Brian Bancroft-Billings passed away on July 3 in Newtown, his home of 55 years. He was born in Bridgeport, on August 7, 1934, and was raised in Monroe. Brian was the son of Frank and Elisabet Bancroft-Billings and was the youngest of six siblings. He is survived by Ralph (Diane) Bancroft-Billings of Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Joyce Lorenzo of Southbury; and Joan Burnham of Granville, Vt. He was predeceased by siblings, Dennis Bancroft-Billings of Lompoc, Calif., and Maud Knapp of Sandy Hook.

Brian is survived by his wife of 63 years, Catherine (Bawden) Bancroft-Billings, and their two daughters, Julia (Mark) Prescott, of Brookline, Mass., and Sandra Bancroft-Billings (Stephen Sepinuck) of Spokane, Wash. He is also survived by grandchildren, Allison Prescott, Rachel (Rob) Shephard, Ben Sepinuck, and Jacob Sepinuck; great-grandson, Jack Shephard; and many nieces and nephews.

Brian graduated from Bassick High School in 1953 and immediately served in the United States Army in Korea. He then graduated from Connecticut School of Electronics in New Haven. Brian loved anything with a motor. His daughters knew from an early age how to bleed brakes and change motor oil. They also knew that when they heard the sound of Roger Miller blasting throughout the neighborhood at full volume, it was time to come home. Brian loved music and was a talented dancer, impressing younger family members with his surprising polka skills.

Brian also loved anything with a sail. For two decades, weekends found Catherine and Brian on their sailboat on Long Island Sound. After retiring, they lived for a year on their boat, sailing from Connecticut to the Bahamas with their dog Trudy. They also hiked and explored Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and South America.

Brian had a soft spot for animals of all kinds, often stopping the car to help a creature in need; but he most passionately cared about his boyhood dog, Snooker, the best dog that ever lived, a dog who was able to climb trees and eat hot baked potatoes.

Because of the global pandemic, a memorial for Brian will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at michaeljfox.org.

The Newtown Bee: Published: Jul 06, 2020

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