William E. Jervis, 68, of 75 Shennecossett Parkway, Groton, passed away at home on August 8th surrounded by his loving family.
Bill was born August 24, 1946 in Norwich, CT and was the only child of William Alfred Jervis and Sabina Salamucha Jervis.
On October 23, 1968 he married the love of his life Joyce N. Jodoin at St. Mary’s Church in Groton. They resided their entire marriage in the city of Groton, where they raised their family of three wonderful daughters.
Bill joined Groton Town Police in 1974 and worked his way up from Patrol Officer to Lieutenant before retiring in 2007 after 33 years of service. He was a tireless community servant. During his tenure, Bill created activities for youths at risk: co-founding the Groton Maritime Academy; he was the President of the CT Maritime Education Foundation (2002-2007); he co-founded the Groton Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force; he was Vice-President of the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern CT (1997-2012); a former board member of the Women’s Center of Southeastern CT; he designed and ran the Town Police Community Policing Program; he worked with the community to provide occupational and recreational opportunities for young people. He initiated the Groton Domestic Violence Prevention Task Force and co-founded the Groton Business Association. Additionally, he was a former President of the AFSCME Local 3428, former President of the Groton Kiwanis Club, and a member of the Groton Elks Club. Bill was elected in May 2015 to his fourth term on the Groton City Council also serving as Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Groton City Democratic Committee.
An avid naturalist and botanist, he was also a voracious reader, spoke many languages, and was a former beekeeper. Education played a central role to this lifelong learner, and Bill held a B.S. in Sociology, a M.S. in Management, a PhD in Psychology, graduating summa cum laude. Bill was also a member of Mensa. With all of Bill’s accomplishments and commitments, he still found time to be a world traveler, a generous and devoted husband, father and grandfather, and maintained a wonderful and unique sense of humor while doing it. Bill was a true patriarch. His family always came first. Anyone that knew Bill knew of his honesty, integrity, endless drive, dedication and compassion, which made him everyone’s confidant and go-to guy. Bill’s passion for living life to the fullest and leaving this world a better place will be greatly missed by all.
Bill is survived by his loving wife Joyce, daughters Erin Jervis Steele, Melanie Jervis Barnett and husband Philip, Beth Jervis-Simpson and husband Brian, and nine grandchildren: Evan, Phoebe, Christian, Owen, Olivia, Tate, Jillian, Audrey and Nolia.
His family will greet relatives and friends on Wednesday, August 12, from 4 to 7pm at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, August 13, at 10:00am at St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church, 69 Groton Long Point Road, Groton. Burial with full military honors will follow in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the William. E. Jervis Scholarship Fund c/o
Charter Oak Federal Credit Union, 1055 Hartford Tpke, Waterford, CT 06358.
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