William Guerard “Guerry” Eaton, a lifelong resident of Winchester, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at home on January 2, 2023 following a long illness. He was surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Nancy N. (Noschese) Eaton for 59 years.
Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts Guerry was the son of the late Charles S. and Margaret E. (Simkins) Eaton. He also was the stepson of the late Sarah (Stephenson) Eaton. He was educated in the Winchester Public Schools. He was a graduate of Winchester High School, where he made many lifelong friends. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed in East Africa for nearly three years and assigned to a variety of high security details with the Army Security Service. During his off hours in the service, Guerry studied for college entrance exams, developed fluency In Italian and became a competent speaker of the East African languages, Amharic and Tigrigna. Throughout his life, he enjoyed opportunities to speak Amharic and Tigrigna with people who’d moved to the United States from East Africa.
Upon his honorable discharge and return to the United States, Guerry enrolled in Tufts University where he obtained his B.S. in Government. He worked in sales and marketing with New England Telephone, later Verizon, for more than 35 years.
After meeting his future wife, Nancy, in New York City, the couple settled in Massachusetts to start their family. After living for a short while in Arlington, they moved to Guerry’s hometown, Winchester, in 1965. Guerry was actively involved in the community, including coaching his childrens’ sports teams. He coached for St. Mary’s CYO Hockey, St. Eulalia’s Hockey Program, Winchester Youth Soccer program and for town softball leagues. Guerry cherished frequent family gatherings. He enjoyed cheering on his grandchildren at their many sporting events, theatrical performances and graduations. He and Nancy traveled widely, including trips to Ireland and long stays in London and Italy. The couple’s happy place was Ogunquit, Maine where they walked the Marginal Way, swam in the ocean and read voraciously on the beach. Throughout his life, Guerry loved to play golf with his father, his friends, his son, his brothers-in-law and his father-in-law. He cherished gatherings and laugh-filled conversations with his dear friends from fantasy baseball and fantasy football leagues. Guerry was a crossword and Jeopardy phenom. He was known for his quick wit and sharp intellect, his kindness and integrity, his fun-loving, positive attitude, his humility and his strong, long hugs.
In addition to his wife, Nancy, Guerry is lovingly survived by his children: Susan E. Eaton and her partner Fred Kimberk, of both Newton and Manchester by the Sea; William C. Eaton and his wife, Susan M. of Westford. He was the devoted grandfather of William S. Eaton Kramer, Eli Eaton Kramer, Meredith S. Eaton and Siobhan M. Eaton, the dear brother of Robert B. Eaton and his wife, Beverly of Clinton, Maine and Scott S. Eaton and his partner Ryan Harrold of Easthampton, Massachusetts. He was predeceased by a dear cousin, Katherine B. Simmons of Oxford, UK.
Funeral Services are private. If desired, donations in Guerry’s memory may be made to Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan St. – Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. https://www.caredimensions.org.