Darcy Wilkinson Jr. ... WWII vet; formerly of Rochester

Darcy Bradley Wilkinson Jr. died on April 2after a long stay in the hospital.

He was born on Feb. 7, 1927, in Evanston, Ill., the son of Darcy Wilkinson and Margaret Rasbridge Wilkinson. Upon graduation from Marinette High School, he served in the Army at the end of World War II. Brad graduated from Carroll College, now University, in Waukesha, Wis. He then went on to work as a sales representative for several paper companies. In 1967, he took a job at Mead Paper in Lee, Mass., and moved his young family there to raise. Later, he would move to Rochester, N.H., where he spent his retired years and built a life with his second love of his life, Patricia Benton, until last year, when he moved to Virginia.

Brad was preceded in death by his parents, Darcy and Margaret, his sister, Jane, his first wife, Jane, his son, Stephen, and Patricia Benton. Left to continue his legacy of hard work and enjoying life are his daughter, Cindy (Reed) of Williamsburg, Va., his sons, David (Denise) of Virginia Beach, Va., and John (Debi) of Williamsburg. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Bradley Wilkinson, Matthew Jordan (Chelsea), Drew Wilkinson, Jane Wilkinson, and Brooke Wilkinson, as well as two great-grandchildren , Rhys and Emilia.

Brad was also blessed to have a second family in New Hampshire to cherish his memory--Michael Benton (Tiffany) and Lisa Philbrick (Kelly) and grandchildren, Erika White (Jay) and Aimee Philbrick. Brad held a special place in his heart for his daughters-in-law Susan Wilkinson and Valerie Wilkinson, and for Ryan McGill.

Brad will always be remembered by those who knew him as personable and fun-loving. He was blessed to have traveled to many parts of the world during his lifetime including Europe, North Africa, Central America, the Caribbean and South America.