Rolf Billington, of Warwick, passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2015. Rolf was 78 years old when he passed away peacefully in his sleep and had suffered with Parkinson’s Disease and dementia in his later years. Rolf is survived by his three siblings: Sonja Billington, Bjorn Billington, Erik Billington; and his three children: Rolf and his wife Catherine; Kristin Billington McBride and her husband Thomas; and Ingrid Balsamo and husband Anthony. He also leaves behind his grandchildren: Simone, Aiden, Grace, Kaylie and Sonja Lin, all of whom affectionately called him Bestefar. A devoted husband and father, Rolf always placed his family first and was proud of the tight knit family he and his wife Evelyn raised together. Rolf enjoyed being the handy man, fixing small things around his house in his free time and took great pride in helping his elderly neighbors through the years. The family spent many summers and weekends in Pennsylvania where a love for canoeing, swimming, ice skating and other outdoor fun was shared with his three children.
Born Sept. 30, 1936, in Oslo, Norway, he was the son of Jacob and Sonja Elisabeth (Nilson) Billington. Rolf lived as a young boy in occupied Norway. He served in the Norwegian Army for one year and attended college in Germany and Sweden where he studied chemistry. After his technical training, Rolf returned to Oslo and was employed in the fabrication of gelatin dynamites and powder explosives.Rolf came to America after crossing the Atlantic Ocean by boat in 1962.
Rolf was a chemist and began his career in America at Reichold Chemical Corp. in Elisabeth, N.J. Rolf met his wife, Evelyn C. (Garbett) Billington of Brooklyn, in a ski club and in 1965 they were married. Rolf was transferred to Sterling Forest to work, Evelyn and he settled in Warwick. The mountains and scenery of Warwick reminded Rolf of Norway and Evelyn loved the country. After he retired as a chemical engineer, Rolf got his CDL license and drove for the Warwick Valley School District for five years. He enjoyed taking the young kids to school and getting to know each one on his route.
Rolf and Evelyn raised their three children in Warwick and were members of the Warwick community for more than 40 years. His loving wife, Evelyn, passed away in 2008. Rolf will be missed by all who knew him.
The family will receive friends on Friday, July 17th, from 5:00-8:00 pm at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave., Warwick. Public graveside service will be on Saturday, July 18th, at 11 a.m. in the Warwick Cemetery.