William H. Nagel

Meriden-William H. Nagel, 83, passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2017; he was the son of the late Max E. and Louise M (Neumann) Nagel. Bill lived in Meriden all his life, graduated in 1951 from Meriden High School, where he excelled in baseball as a pitcher, helping them to several of its best winning seasons including tying for the CCIL Championship in 1951. Upon graduation he signed a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. While with them he pitched for the Hamilton Cardinals of Ontario, Canada. On the last day of the season, he pitched a 5-0 shutout and helped them win the league championship. He and his teammates were honored by the World of Sport on Dec. 5, 1996 and are forever remembered with a place on the Copps Coliseum Wall of Fame in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada as the only professional baseball team to bring the pennant to the city in the 20th century. Bill finished his pro career with 18 wins and 5 losses. He also served his country during the Korean Conflict, having served with the First Army Military Police Unit. After returning home Bill worked for Pratt & Whitney as an x-ray technician, then for 33 years at C.N.Flagg Co., and finally 5 1/2 years for Standard Plumbing & Heating Supply Co.. He was a lifetime member of St. John Lutheran Church, a retired member of U.A. Local 777 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union as a Metal Tradesman, was an avid gardener, fisherman, ballroom dancer, and loved the mountains and lakes of New Hampshire. He is survived by a daughter Karen E. and her husband Robert Bass of Meriden; a son and his wife, Wayne M. and Renee Nagel, granddaughters, Christina Britton and her husband Joseph, and Melissa Nagel, and great-grandchildren Avery and Rowan Britton, all of Rochester, NH. He was predeceased by longtime friend and dance partner Barbara Oppelt, and sister and brother-in-law Barbara & Robert Crovo Sr. Relatives and friends may call at Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 from 4-8pm. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, June 1 at 10am at Gethsemane Cemetery, Bee St., Meriden. Everyone is asked to meet at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Freedom Guide Dogs, 1210 Hardscrabble Rd., Cassville, NY 13318.