Obituary of Kaye A Williams

Kaye A. Williams, 95, beloved husband of Barbara (DeBreceny) Williams passed away peacefully in his home Saturday, November 16, 2024. Kaye was the son of the late Frederick I. Williams and Margaret Keefe Williams Dudas.

Kaye was born during a snowstorm on April 11, 1929 in the attic of a house on Howard Avenue in Bridgeport’s West End. He spent his childhood years living on Fayerweather Island where he enjoyed an idyllic life of swimming, fishing and sailing on Black Rock Harbor.

In 1948 he married Vivian (LaBorde) Williams. He joined Local 424 of the Ironworkers Union but soon gave up a life ashore to seek adventures at sea. Along with another young couple, Kaye and Vivian bought an aging 65’ oyster schooner. They renamed it the “Bora Queen” and set sail for the island of Bora Bora in the South Pacific with infant son Bruce in tow. Financial considerations forced the crew to end their voyage in Jacksonville, Florida where Kaye found employment building shrimp boats.

Eventually returning to Bridgeport, Kaye established his first marine store, Fayerweather Marine Supply on Fairfield Avenue in Black Rock. In 1968, he sold Fayerweather Marine and launched a new career as a commercial lobsterman. During his decade long career as a lobsterman, he became known as a “high liner”, a term used in the trade to describe the most successful and productive fisherman.

In the early 1980’s with the help of Vivian, his daughters Jan and Jill and his son-in-law Rob Burlinson, he embarked on a series of building renovations in Black Rock. He restored two old houses in the section’s historic district and purchased and renovated the “Quarterboard Row” block on Fairfield Ave., adorning it with name boards of historic Black Rock ships.

In 1981 Kaye and family launched their biggest project, Captain’s Cove Seaport. Built on the remains of the old city marina, the construction of new docks, a 400 seat restaurant, service buildings and gift shops gradually transformed the seaport into one of the largest marina/tourist attractions in the state. The “Cove” became the home of the famous tall ship HMS “Rose”, the Gustave Whitehead airplane project, and the home of the Hartford Healthcare/ St. Vincent’s Foundation “Swim Across the Sound”. Kaye was also instrumental in the formation of the Bridgeport Regional Aquaculture School and development of college and high school sailing and crew programs. He was honored last year when the Aqua School’s new research vessel was christened the “Kaye Williams”.

Kaye was fascinated with the life story of P.T. Barnum, and was delighted to have had the opportunity to serve as the 1991 Barnum Ringmaster.

 After the passing of his long-time partner Vivian, Kaye found love again with the beautiful Barbara DeBreceny whom he married in 1991. Kaye would spend the rest of his life with Barbara, a retired Bridgeport public school teacher. Barbara had a passion for travel which she shared with Kaye, expanding this local fisherman’s horizons to the ends of the earth.

In addition to his devoted wife Barbara, Kaye’s memory will be cherished by his children Bruce Williams and wife Karen, Jill Williams Toth and husband David, son-in-law Rob Burlinson, Jan’s husband, all of Bridgeport; Stephen DeBreceny and wife Connie of Maryland, Stasia Reichard and husband Dirck of South Carolina; Grandchildren, Colin Williams and wife Alexia, Marley David and husband TJ, Jane Williams and her fiancé Jamie Dawson, Trey and Katherine Reichard; and great grandchildren Lana and Marisa David and Wesley Kaye Williams and several nieces and nephews.

Kaye was predeceased by his wife Vivian LaBorde Williams, daughter Jan Williams, brother Fred Williams and his wife Rene, sister Noel Koteles and her husband Bob. Also brother and sister-in-law Bud and Jeanette LaBorde.

Memorial contributions may be directed to: Swim Across the Sound/ Saint Vincent’s Medical Center 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06606 (www.swimacrossthesound.org)

Calling hours will be held on November 22nd Friday, from 2 to 8 PM in the Lesko Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center. His burial in Saint Thomas Cemetery will be private. For travel directions, or to sign his guest registry, please visit www.LeskoFuneralHome.com