William “Bill” T. Bride, Jr., 77, a community leader and longtime resident of Andover, died peacefully at home in the early hours of Sunday morning, September 23, 2012.
Bill, son of the late William T. and Elsie (Duffy) Bride, was born in Lawrence on August 2, 1935. He was raised in both Methuen and Andover and graduated from Phillips Academy Andover. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University and and was an Air Force ROTC graduate. He went on to serve our country in the United States Air Force, enlisting in 1958. He was honorably discharged in 1961, having been awarded the rank of Captain.
Bill was a Mechanical Contractor, serving as President of Bride, Grimes & Co., Inc. until his retirement. For approximately ten years, Bill was President of Atkinson Construction Co. and served as a Fire Protection Contractor.
Bill was Director of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Former Director of the National Environmental Balancing Bureau, Past President of the New England Mechanical Contractors Association, President of the New England Environmental Balancing Bureau, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee of the Contractor Industry Advancement Fund, Chairman of the MCAA Industry Improvement Fund Committee and former Trustee of the H&W, Pension Fund, Local 283.
Locally, Bill was Trustee and Vice President of the Community Savings Bank, Director of the AAA of Merrimack Valley, Vice Chairman of the Valley Regional Health Care Foundation, Inc., Past President of the Greater Lawrence Kiwanis Club, Past President of the Lawrence Boys Club, Past President of the Bon Secours Men’s Guild, a member of the Advisory Board of the North Essex Council - Boy Scouts of America, former Budget Committee of the United Fund of Merrimack Valley, member of the Executive Committee of the Holy Family Men’s Guild, the Vesper Country Club, Abenaqui Country Club, ASHRAE of Merrimack Valley, the Lanam Club and the Rye Beach Club. He was a member of the Town Yard Revitalization Committee in Andover and was the proud recipient of the Ralph B. Wilkinson Award.
Bill will be deeply missed by his wife, Ann (Higgins) Bride; five children, Katharine B. Reed and her husband Jay of Wilbraham, Susie B. Luer and her husband Mark of Newport Beach, California, W. Thomas Bride and his wife Kristin of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Amy Bride of Newburyport and Jennifer Bride of Andover; five grandchildren, Alexander Reed, Jack Bride, Carson Bride, Maximilian Luer and Madeleine Luer; three brothers, John Bride of Coral De Tierra, California, James Bride of Dedham and Peter Bride of Wilmot, New Hampshire and several nephews and nieces.
Family and friends are planning to honor and celebrate Bill’s life by gathering for visiting hours in the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St., Methuen on Wednesday, September 26 from 4-8 pm. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Augustine’s Church, 43 Essex St., Andover on Thursday, September 27 at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow in St. Augustine’s Cemetery, Andover. Those who wish to make a memorial contribution in Bill’s memory in lieu of flowers are kindly asked to consider the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club, 136 Water St., Lawrence, MA 01841.
For directions or to share a condolence with the family, please visit us online at www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, Methuen is honored to assist the Bride family with arrangements.