William J. Babcock

PORTSMOUTH, - William J. Babcock, 81, of 29 Indian Avenue Portsmouth, formerly of 819 Indian Avenue, Middletown, died Sunday, December 8, 2002 at Village House Newport, RI.He was the husband of Jean L. Vanicek Babcock. Born in Providence, RI on November 17, 1921, he was the son of the late Daniel S. and Mary Murray Babcock.Mr. Babcock was a World War II Army Veteran. He worked at the Newport A P for many years and went on to work for the Rhode Island Nurseries. Mr. Babcock was a lifelong sailor and boat racing enthusiast. He was a member and Past Commodore of the Newport Yacht Club and was the skipper of the ?War Cry? which served as the press boat during the preliminary races of the Americas Cup. He also carved wood signs in the Newport Area. Besides his wife he is survived by two daughters J. Lorraine Babcock of Kingsville, MD, and Dawn Luther of Carrabaset Valley, ME.He was the father of the late William J. ?Skipper? Babock Jr. and the brother of the late Daniel Babcock, Barbara Burgess and Joan Maguire. A Memorial service will be held on Friday, December 13, 2002, at 5:00PM at the Newport Yacht Club, 110 Long Wharf Mall, Newport. Burial will be private. Donations in his memory may be made to IYRS, The Coronet Fund, 458 Thames Street, Newport, RI 02840 or to the Seamen?s Church Institute, 18 Market Square, Newport, RI 02840. Arrangements are by the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.