Willard Bill' Platcow
Willard S. 'Bill' Platcow, 90, passed away at Yale-New Haven Hospital on April 18, 2020. Born April 2, 1930 and raised in New Haven, he was the son of the late Philip E. Platcow, a former Sixth Ward Alderman of New Haven, and Mollie Penn Platcow. Bill spent most of his adult life in New Haven before moving to Hamden. A proud U.S. Veteran, Bill served his country in the Korean War. He attended Yale and Fairfield Universities and received his Masters Degree from the University of Bridgeport. He became a prominent educator in the New Haven and Hamden school systems, and later a well-respected professor at Gateway Community College, where he taught until his retirement. Bill is survived by his loving sister, Florence S. Platcow, and was predeceased by his sister Evelyn Penn Platcow. His enjoyment of music and likeable personality will be missed by all who knew him. Graveside services will be privately held. Arrangements in care of BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. To send condolences to Bill's family, please visit www.beecherandbennett.com.
Mr. Platcow was my high school French teacher at Wilbur Cross in the early 1970s. I remember him fondly because he was always smiling and he truly seemed to enjoy interacting with his students. I was on a field trip to New York City that he planned for those of us in the sports club. The plan was to go to a Mets game and return home right after. While we were having lunch in an automat in walks the comedian Jackie Mason and offers our group free tickets to his one man off Broadway play that same evening. Mr. Platcow had us all call home, from pay phones in those days, and get permission to attend the show. Most teachers would have wanted to get a group of teenagers home ASAP but he wasn’t like most teachers. He saw it as an opportunity too good to pass up. I don’t think the play was much of a success but Mr. Platcow sure helped give us all a memorable experience on that field trip. I don’t remember very much of the French he taught me but I do remember him fondly. Merci Monsieur Platcow. Diane Tropeano Wilson
My sincere condolences to the family of Bill Platcow. I only knew Bill for a short while. My first day meeting him, he sang a song for us and told a story accompanied with a little tap dance. In two weeks time that I knew him, we shared lots of stories. Praying for strength and peace for the family. Mabel Perry Meadow Mills, Hamden, CT
I am sad I did not have the chance to know him. Perhaps I can find his sister Florence. RIP Uncle Bill.