Bill Polinsky 1958 Receives Alumni Achievement Award

Bill has had a “ love affair “ with Hamden Hall since his days under the pines. In November, he and his 1958 classmate, Doris (Catania) will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary—just one month after observing their 55th milestone Hamden Hall Class Reunion. When Bill was a student at Hamden Hall, he excelled in the classroom and beyond—especially on the athletic fields where he has gone down in the school’s history books as an outstanding three-sport athlete.

Bill played on two undefeated football teams and three years on the basketball team and was captain his senior year. When Bill continued his liberal arts education at Yale, he played basketball and baseball. In his junior year, he was selected all league in the Eastern Intercollegiate Baseball League and was also chosen MVP by his teammates. Senior year at Yale, Bill played back-up guard on the basketball team. After Yale, Bill sought one of his dreams—professional baseball—and hooked up with the Chicago Cubs. He went to spring training in Mesa, Ariz., and was subsequently assigned to Chicago’s minor league affiliate in Pocatello, Idaho, where he enjoyed a short, but sweet two-month career. After Yale, Bill enjoyed a longtime career at M. Schiavone and Sons in the scrap recycling business, rising to vice president of marketing and working alongside Hamden Hall alumnus Michael Schiavone 1959, company president. Bill and Doris have four children, Eric, Mark, Bill, and Sarah, and they raised their family in Bethany, Conn. The couple has five grandchildren—and they love spending time with all of them! After Bill’s retirement, he and Doris moved to Harwinton, where they live next door to their son Mark and his family. Beyond enjoying their new “quiet“ life, Bill and Doris share a love of their church, Immaculate Heart of Mary in Harwinton. The couple is totally immersed in the work of the parish where they have found the real meaning of community and are involved in many church ministries.