Published in the August 28, 2015 edition
MELROSE — William H. Ahern, 89, passed away peacefully on Aug. 18.
Bill was born in Chelsea on June 28, 1926 to the late William and Marie (Healy) Ahern. He was raised in East Boston, graduated from Boston English High School and Boston University.
Mr. Ahern entered the service in 1944 and served his country with pride for two years in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
After his discharge and graduating college, Bill joined Shawmut Bank in 1949 and served as a loan officer for many years in Everett and Wakefield. He finished his career in 1991 as a Vice President for the bank.
He also owned and operated Ahern Insurance Agency for many years. He was past president of the Everett Chamber of Commerce, Everett Kiwanis and Wakefield Rotary, was a trustee at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital for many years and served on the City of Melrose Planning Board.
Bill was very proud of being a course leader for history at the Institute for Learning & Retirement at Boston College for several years. He has been a resident of Melrose for the past 55 years, was a longtime member of Bellevue Golf Club, an avid Boston sports fan and longtime season ticket holder for the Red Sox, Bruins and the Patriots.
Bill enjoyed skiing, golfing and sailing and had a wonderful sense of humor.
Mr. Ahern was the beloved husband of the late Virginia (Denny) Ahern. He was the loving father of William H. Ahern Jr. and his wife Kimberly, Tracey A. Moriarty and her husband John, all of Melrose, and Lesley M. Ahern of Charlestown. He was the devoted grandfather of Jack, Maggie and Maeve Moriarty. He was the brother of the late Barbara O’Brien. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.
The funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster St., Melrose, was on Monday, Aug. 24, at 9 a.m. A funeral Mass in celebration of Bill’s life was held at The Church of the Incarnation, 425 Upham St., Melrose, at 10 a.m.
Interment in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Boston Cardiac Foundation, 50 Tremont St., Suite 104, Melrose MA 02176 or @www.bostoncardiacfoundation.org.
To send a message of condolence please visit www.gatelyfh.com.
