Obituary for William Patrick McDonough
William Patrick McDonough, 76, of Spring Lake Heights passed away on Friday, January 22, 2021 at his home in the loving arms of his wife, surrounded by his daughters and grandchildren.
Bill was born and raised in the Washington Heights section of New York City. He proudly served in the United States Navy. Upon his return from the service, he married the love of his life, Linda. He and his wife settled in the Riverdale section of the Bronx where they raised their family. He was a very active parishioner of St. Gabriel's Parish where he helped run the Annual Bazaar and started the Teen Center which provided activities for the youth of the parish. He was a member of the Parish Council, the Men’s Club and the Softball Team. He was a constant fixture at the Girl's basketball games and piled the team into his car for games throughout the city.
Bill had an illustrious 20 year career in the NYPD where he received many citations, awards and medals. He was a member of the Emerald Society and played the bagpipes for the Emerald Society Warpipe Band. He retired in 1985 as a First Grade Detective. He went on to work for NBC, providing private security for many celebrities, television personalities and dignitaries. He was well known for his walk-on performances on the David Letterman Show and was a proud member of SAG-AFTRA.
Ultimately, Bill answered the call of the sand and ocean and left New York for the Jersey Shore. He became a fixture at the Spring Lake Beach South End. He spent many a happy day at the pool, beach and boardwalk. He was very generous with his time and very thoughtful. He was fondly known as “$2 Bill” for the two-dollar bills he gave to the young kids on the beach. He gifted the Summer Patrolmen St. Michael prayer cards and watched many go on to join the Spring Lake Heights/Spring Lake Police Departments. He was a cherished friend and surrogate uncle and grandfather to children and adults alike, and his absence from the South End will be felt by all.
Bill’s love for his grandchildren filled his years with great joy. He was one of the most influential people in their lives and set a great example of how to be a good and kind person. He made sure they knew some of life's essential skills: the proper way to shake hands; how to treat a lady; how to play games and cards (for money); enjoy a good Hallmark movie; swim and ride waves; and enjoy good times with family. Grandpa always told great jokes and stories, and was usually laughing and smiling. He was a sharp dresser and loved the New York Yankees.
Bill was a devoted and active Friend of Bill’s for over 41 years. During that time, he helped countless individuals navigate difficult and painful times in their lives, and he was a beacon of integrity and strength for all who walked through the door. Bill was a remarkable example of courage, commitment, and the willingness to rely upon a Higher Power – one day at a time.
Bill lived his life with kindness, honesty and loyalty. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. He had a great sense of humor and was a master at telling jokes (often off-color). He was a Class Act and will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to have known him.
He was predeceased by his parents William and Mary (nee Sheehan), his sister Sr. Kathleen McDonough SCNY, and his nephew Michael Harvey.
Surviving is his childhood sweetheart and beloved wife of over 55 years Linda McDonough (nee Burgess), his 2 daughters and their husbands Eleanor and John O’Connor, and Laura and Thomas Fitzmaurice, his grandchildren Ryan O’Connor, Thomas Fitzmaurice, Kathleen Fitzmaurice and Aidan Fitzmaurice, his sister Margaret Harvey, his sister-in- law Dorothy Artola and her husband Al Artola, brother-in-law Michael Sawyer, brother-in-law George Burgess and his wife Sandy Burgess, and many nieces, nephews, godchildren and friends.
Visitation will be on Thursday from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd, Wall followed by a Catholic Funeral Mass on Friday, January 29, 2021 at 10:30am in St. Catharine’s Church, 215 Essex Ave, Spring Lake.
Internment will be private.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there are limitations on capacity at the funeral home, guests are asked to briefly greet the family for the visitation and exit the building. Face-coverings must be worn to enter the building.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital www.stjude.org
Bill was born and raised in the Washington Heights section of New York City. He proudly served in the United States Navy. Upon his return from the service, he married the love of his life, Linda. He and his wife settled in the Riverdale section of the Bronx where they raised their family. He was a very active parishioner of St. Gabriel's Parish where he helped run the Annual Bazaar and started the Teen Center which provided activities for the youth of the parish. He was a member of the Parish Council, the Men’s Club and the Softball Team. He was a constant fixture at the Girl's basketball games and piled the team into his car for games throughout the city.
Bill had an illustrious 20 year career in the NYPD where he received many citations, awards and medals. He was a member of the Emerald Society and played the bagpipes for the Emerald Society Warpipe Band. He retired in 1985 as a First Grade Detective. He went on to work for NBC, providing private security for many celebrities, television personalities and dignitaries. He was well known for his walk-on performances on the David Letterman Show and was a proud member of SAG-AFTRA.
Ultimately, Bill answered the call of the sand and ocean and left New York for the Jersey Shore. He became a fixture at the Spring Lake Beach South End. He spent many a happy day at the pool, beach and boardwalk. He was very generous with his time and very thoughtful. He was fondly known as “$2 Bill” for the two-dollar bills he gave to the young kids on the beach. He gifted the Summer Patrolmen St. Michael prayer cards and watched many go on to join the Spring Lake Heights/Spring Lake Police Departments. He was a cherished friend and surrogate uncle and grandfather to children and adults alike, and his absence from the South End will be felt by all.
Bill’s love for his grandchildren filled his years with great joy. He was one of the most influential people in their lives and set a great example of how to be a good and kind person. He made sure they knew some of life's essential skills: the proper way to shake hands; how to treat a lady; how to play games and cards (for money); enjoy a good Hallmark movie; swim and ride waves; and enjoy good times with family. Grandpa always told great jokes and stories, and was usually laughing and smiling. He was a sharp dresser and loved the New York Yankees.
Bill was a devoted and active Friend of Bill’s for over 41 years. During that time, he helped countless individuals navigate difficult and painful times in their lives, and he was a beacon of integrity and strength for all who walked through the door. Bill was a remarkable example of courage, commitment, and the willingness to rely upon a Higher Power – one day at a time.
Bill lived his life with kindness, honesty and loyalty. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. He had a great sense of humor and was a master at telling jokes (often off-color). He was a Class Act and will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to have known him.
He was predeceased by his parents William and Mary (nee Sheehan), his sister Sr. Kathleen McDonough SCNY, and his nephew Michael Harvey.
Surviving is his childhood sweetheart and beloved wife of over 55 years Linda McDonough (nee Burgess), his 2 daughters and their husbands Eleanor and John O’Connor, and Laura and Thomas Fitzmaurice, his grandchildren Ryan O’Connor, Thomas Fitzmaurice, Kathleen Fitzmaurice and Aidan Fitzmaurice, his sister Margaret Harvey, his sister-in- law Dorothy Artola and her husband Al Artola, brother-in-law Michael Sawyer, brother-in-law George Burgess and his wife Sandy Burgess, and many nieces, nephews, godchildren and friends.
Visitation will be on Thursday from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd, Wall followed by a Catholic Funeral Mass on Friday, January 29, 2021 at 10:30am in St. Catharine’s Church, 215 Essex Ave, Spring Lake.
Internment will be private.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there are limitations on capacity at the funeral home, guests are asked to briefly greet the family for the visitation and exit the building. Face-coverings must be worn to enter the building.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital www.stjude.org