William (Bill) Jacob Greenberg died March 11, 2014. He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Abraham and Kate (Cohn) Greenberg. Bill and his beloved wife of 65 years, Eunice, lived all their lives in Bridgeport and Fairfield. He is survived by his children Clifford Greenberg and Andrea, Jeffrey Trinin and Susy, Linda-Jo Greenberg and David, and Philip Phillips. He also leaves grandchildren Cecelia Sommerville and Tim, Allison Watkins, Attorney James Philips and Sam, and great-grandchildren Aiden and Athena Sommerville. He is also mourned by his sister, Leona Trinin, his nephew Fishel (Michael) and Elianna, and his nieces Sharon, Nili (Diane), and Ellen.
Bill attended the Gunnery prep school and Yale University (1951). In 1953 Bill joined his father-in-law at Karpilow Safe and Lock Company in Bridgeport. He eventually took over the business and the business thrived for over 60 years. He was a cofounder of the Locksmith Association of Connecticut, including working on legislation requiring that locksmiths in the state be bonded. He was member #668 of the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA).
Bill was involved in other diverse organizations, including serving as chairman of the board of Connecticut Renaissance Drug Rehab program for seven years and working as a crisis counselor at YWCA Rape Crisis Service for 12 years. He went back to school in 1983 and earned a degree in massage therapy. In addition to seeing clients he became involved on the boards of the Connecticut chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association and was vice-president and on the board of directors of the national American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). He went to NYC in the days following 9/11 as part of the MERT (Massage Emergency Response Team) and provided massage therapy to first responders. His work in these organizations exemplified his need to be involved where he could express his compassion for others.
Bill enjoyed life with his family who found in him the reliable “Rock,” a great healer with hands, spirit, and heart, providing support and counsel to any who needed a sympathetic ear. Bill met Eunice when they were both students at Bassick High School. They were a rare pair that found their lifelong companion early; in their last years together they each acknowledged that there was no one else they would have wanted to spend their life with.
Bill also enjoyed books, football, UConn women’s basketball, and travel to Paradise Island, St. Maarten, Europe, and visiting his family on the West Coast, and felt very satisfied with his life and proud of his accomplishments of 85 years.
His family dearly loved him and will miss him and remember him forever.
Contributions may be made in his honor to the cancer society of your choice.
—Submitted by the family.
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