In Memory of

William

Francis

Dranginis

Obituary for William Francis Dranginis

William F. (Bill) Dranginis, 72, passed away Saturday morning, surrounded by family, after a brief illness. Born in Torrington, CT, in 1945, he was the second son of Peter J. and Katherine Bergin Dranginis.

Bill spent his life as an enthusiastic Litchfield resident, he was well known throughout Litchfield County. He spent 25 years as a beloved swimming coach for the Litchfield middle and high school teams. As a coach Bill helped his athletes to become the best they could be and guided numerous swimmers to local and state championships. His passion was recognized when he was elected into the Litchfield Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.

Wanting to do more for his community, Bill was elected and served terms on the Litchfield Board of Selectmen.

Bill developed a passion for golf at a young age under the tutelage of his father. He played hundreds of courses during his lifetime and won many tournaments over the years, including 7 Club Championships at the Litchfield Country Club and one at the Torrington Country Club. Bill turned his love of golf into a career by starting his own business, Club Classic. He spent the last 10 years of his working life at Bantam Fuel, where he served his customers with a smile, before retiring to Florida in 2016.

Bill graduated from Torrington High School and went on to study at The University of Maryland where he competed on the college swim team for 4 years. A loyal “Terp,” Bill maintained friendships with both teammates and coaches throughout his lifetime.

Bill is survived by his beloved daughters, Kristi and Ashlie Dranginis, his brothers Peter (Eileen), Daniel (Stacy), and David as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends Tuesday at Rowe Funeral Home in Litchfield from 4-8. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Bill on Wednesday at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 49 South Street, Litchfield at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Anthony Cemetery.