William M. Bresnahan, 86, of Medway, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at the Seasons Hospice Inpatient Center in Milton. He was the beloved husband of Patricia (Canfield) Bresnahan since 1960.
Born in Lunenburg, Vermont on April 2, 1935, he was the fifth out of six healthy and good-looking sons, affectionately referred to as “the boys” by his parents, the late Edmund and Villa (Blaney) Bresnahan.
Bill was a resident of Medway for the past 12 years and formerly resided in Sherborn where he was a member of Saint Theresa’s Church for many years. He grew up in Gilman, Vermont, and graduated from the Lancaster Academy in Lancaster, New Hampshire where he played basketball. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont.
Bill began his career at New England Life Insurance Company one year out of college in 1958. After just over 20 years of working his way up the ladder, he was promoted to Vice President of Group Marketing in 1979. Bill later retired as the Vice President of Sales at Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company. Bill was proud of his career, where he was appreciated for his wit, good humor, and creativity.
Bill loved hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors, especially at the family “camp” on Neal Pond in his hometown in Vermont. He was a natural storyteller with a great sense of humor. Bill was a lifelong lover of music who enjoyed playing the piano and singing church hymns and Irish tunes. He also enjoyed painting, woodworking, and making furniture. He had a knack for making unique, personalized gifts for his beloved grandchildren.
Besides his wife, he is survived by three children, Stephen Bresnahan of Medway, Kathleen Muise and her husband Roy of Franklin, William Bresnahan of West Palm Beach, Florida, daughter-in-law Maureen Duggan of Framingham, five granddaughters, one grandson and one great-granddaughter. He was looking forward to the addition of another great-granddaughter this fall.
He is also survived by his brother John Bresnahan and his wife Barbara of Tabb, Virginia and many nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Donald, Millard, Jerry and Jimmy Bresnahan.
Bill’s funeral services are private at the request of his family.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Bill’s memory to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, as he was a strong supporter of his loved ones living with mental health conditions.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of the Ginley Crowley Funeral Home, 3 Barber St. in Medway (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com).