Following a long illness, Wil Langdon passed away March 12, 2023. He was born July 7, 1945, in New London. After completing his high school education at Robert E. Fitch Sr. High School, in 1964 he enrolled at Maine Maritime Academy, in Castine, Maine. Wil graduated in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, his 3rd Mates License in the Coast Guard and a Commission as an Ensign in the US Navy. For many years he was employed by the Bechtel Company working on the construction of nuclear power plants in California, Florida and New Jersey. Wil settled in Mystic while working for Northeast Utilities and then for the Kraft Group’s, Robertson Paper Box Company in Uncasville.
Wil was happiest when he was sailing or driving his Boston Whaler in the Mystic River. He was known for his kindness and his willingness to help others. Although he was bedridden, he was most recently doing research for the Mystic Historical Society. For many years after moving back to Mystic, Wil made dozens of pine captains chests with rope handles which he gave away. While at NE Utilities he arranged for the company to fund and erect the Osprey nest platforms in the upper Mystic River. The platforms are still there today.
Wil always said that he felt very blessed to have had such an idyllic life growing up on Gravel Street in Mystic.
Wil leaves a sister, Mrs. Robert Kohankie II (Carol) of Flower Mound, Texas; a nephew, R. Watson Kohankie III (wife Tracey) of Flower Mound, Texas; and Watson’s children, great-niece, Mrs. Brian Williams (Kady) of Sioux Falls, S.D., great-nephews, Jacob Kohankie and John Marc, both of Flower Mound, Texas; and Kady’s children, great-great- nephew Brantley Borders and great-great-niece Willow Williams both of Sioux Falls, S.D.
Private services will be held later this Spring at which time, his ashes will be scattered on the water.
Memorial Donations in Wil’s name may be made to: Mystic River Ambulance Association, 237 Sandy Hollow Rd., Mystic, CT 06355, or Maine Maritime Academy, Eight Bells, 1 Pleasant St., Castine, Maine 04420.