William Charles Mckay

On Friday, January 29, 2021, Leslie Joyce (Cwikla) McKay and William Charles McKay Jr., both of Wakefield RI, died peacefully within hours of one another. Leslie was born on January 24, 1945 in Manchester, CT and had just celebrated her 76th birthday. William was born on October 5, 1935 in Danbury, CT and was 85 years old. They were married in 1994 in Bermuda. The island was a special place to the couple and they traveled there frequently throughout their 26 year marriage. Leslie and Bill enjoyed dining out and traveling together. They visited many places, most memorably, Alaska, Ireland, and California. Leslie instilled in her two children a strong sense of family and unconditional love. She valued the deep connections she had with her many friends who will miss her dearly. Leslie enjoyed volunteering at South County Hospital in the gift shop as a way to give back to others. She saw and valued the beauty in life and so supported the work of local artisans both in Rhode Island and wherever she traveled. William was a Korean War veteran and an avid storyteller. As a retired maintenance director, he was a handyman who could fix or build just about anything. He was a long time volunteer firefighter who enjoyed bowling and feeding the birds in his backyard. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Leslie is predeceased by her parents Michael and Christine (Petig) Cwikla (Manchester, CT). William is predeceased by his parents William Sr. and Blanche (Lane) McKay (Bethel, CT) and by grand-daughter Hannah McKay (Danbury, CT). They leave behind a beloved blended family including:Daughter Jennifer Kittredge (Saunderstown, RI) and son Michael Kittredge and his wife, Elida Erickson (Watsonville, CA); Son William McKay III and his wife, Maureen (Danbury, CT), daughter Karen McKay (New Preston, CT) and daughter Nancy (McKay) Laedke (New Fairfield, CT); Grandchildren-Lyndsay, Ashleigh, Carly, Hillary, Shane, Tyler, Collin and Brittany and three great-granddaughters; William’s sisters- Grace Zaleta (Paul) and Joan Ferris. Due to Covid, there will not be a memorial service at this time. There will be a private burial for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, donations in Leslie and William’s memory can be made to the Potter League for Animals in Middletown, RI.