William J. McGarr, a well known Woburn resident, passed away at his home on Friday, October 12, surrounded by his loving and caring family. He was the husband of Jeanne E. (Brown) McGarr. He was eighty-five years of age.
Raised in the South End of the city, he was employed for many years in the heating, air conditioning and ventilation field, and was involved in many of the major building projects in Boston, greater Boston and throughout New Englandd.
After graduating Woburn High School, he served in the US Army during World War ll, he took part in the battles for New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Luzon, receiving a bronze star for his meritorious achievement against the enemy on Leyte, in the Philippine Islands.
Bill was committed to the Woburn Community, he always maintained a key intrest in local politics and happenings in his native Woburn and could reminisce about the old days and people in the city. A life member of the Woburn Lodge of Elks. Bill was the first lodge manager and handeled all operations of the lodge business, along with being the rental manager for weddings and other social events. He made the day for many brides on their special day.
On December 11, 1992, the then Mayor recognized Bill as playing a key role in the success of the annual Mayor´s “Appreciation Day for the Elderly,” from planning the menu to buying the food, from recruiting the cooks, to arranging the dining room - all with tha grace and warmth that made over eight hundred senior citizens anxious to return each year. That day was proclaimed to be “Bill McGarr Day”.
Along with his wife Jeanne, Bill is survived by two step sons, Ken Bushmich and his wife Patricia of Woburn, Walter Bushmich and his wife Pamela of Medway, two step daughters, Linda Stevenson and her husband Peter of Litchfield, NH., Dianne Mearls and her husband Kevin of Woburn. His grandchildren, Peter Cole and his wife Julie of Woburn, Jon Cole of Woburn, Laura Carson and her husband Frank of Nashua, NH., Amy Screib and her husband James of Hudson, NH., Ninielle, Melody, and Heather Bushmich of Woburn, Adam Bushmich of Troy, Ohio and Stephanie Bushmich of Medway, also five loving great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his mother Anna T. McGarr.
Bill´s funeral arrangements are private.
Expressions of Sympathy may be sent in Bill´s Memory to Hospice Care Inc., 100 Sylvan Rd. Woburn, MA 01801