Staples Soccer Mourns Loss Of Jeff Williamson ’73

Jeff Williamson ’73 — a tri-captain, 2-time All-FCIAC pick, and the player who assisted the lone goal in the 1972 state championship match — died this morning. He was 65, and spent much of his life fighting multiple sclerosis. The first signs appeared when he was a senior soccer player at St. Lawrence University.

Williamson — whose brother Scott ’70 was a star and state champion player in his own right — was the only sophomore brought up to the varsity in 1970. He scored in his first appearance, an opening round 5-0 victory over Hamden.

Williamson started and shined for the next 2 years. He is one of several players to score 4 goals in one match. As a senior, his penalty kick after a tie against New Canaan helped the Wreckers advance to the final. Moments into the title match against Conard-West Hartford at the Choate School, the Staples defense cleared the ball. Williamson picked it up near midfield and fed Dennis Murphy. He caught up to the ball behind the backs, dribbled to the left, then outfoxed the keeper with a low line drive to the far side. Just 30 seconds had elapsed. The Wreckers made the goal stand for a 1-0 victory — their 3rd straight state crown — and ended the season 18-0-1. The lone blemish was a 1-1 tie on opening day at Nyack, New York.

Williamson’s MS symptoms began while he was still in college. The disease was diagnosed several years later.

He remained a loyal Staples soccer fan, even as MS sapped his mobility. He was in the stands for the 2006 state final in New Britain, and came to the 2008 50th anniversary celebration too.

Williamson’s first wife — the head nutritionist at Danbury Hospital — died of colon cancer, at the age of 25. A second marriage ended in divorce.

In addition to his brother Scott, he is survived by his father, Fred.

Donations in Jeff Williamson’s name can be made to the Top of the Hill Team — the Staples boys soccer booster club. Click here to donate online; click here to donate by mail.