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William Bach, 80, Former New Canaan Council Member

NEW CANAAN, Conn. – William "Bill" Robertson Bach of Madison, Conn., and formerly of New Canaan, died July 27. He was 80. 

Bach was a former chairman of the New Canaan Town Council. 

He was a third generation New Canaanite and graduated from New Canaan High School in 1949 and the University of Pennsylvania in 1954. He served with the U.S Army as a recon tank platoon leader in Germany, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. 

Bach began his career as an advertising executive in New York before heading the Bach family business. He became the third generation proprietor of Melba Inn from 1970 to 1998. 

He was elected to the New Canaan Town Council in 1978, served in various positions for 20 years, including chairman of the Town Council for 10 years. His family said that he spearheaded the project for the Lou Moreno Town Clock that stands in the center of New Canaan on Elm Street. 

After moving to Madison in 1999, Bach headed efforts for the funding and construction of the town clock on Main Street, the James Madison Memorial Garden and statue that stands in front of the former town hall. He also chaired the Madison Republican Town Committee for three consecutive two-year terms. 

Bach held a commercial pilot's license and was a certified flight instructor. For many years, he flew to his summer home on Lake Warren in East Alstead, N.H. Bach was also an active photographer, sailor, scuba-diver, skier, bee-keeper, marksman, historian, writer and reader. A life member of the National Rifle Association, his family said he was a "proud Republican and a true patriot." 

Bach is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lucy-Ann; five children, Alison Bishop, Meredith Bach, Kirstin "Cricket" Cush, Lauren Sapienza and Kimberley Como; two brothers, A. James "Jim" Bach, of New Canaan, and Robert "Bob" Bach, of Portsmouth, N.H.; and 11 grandchildren.  

A wake will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hoyt Funeral Home in New Canaan. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Wednesday, at St. Aloysius Church in New Canaan. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project.

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