BEVERLY: William A. Cormier, 92, died Tuesday, September 23, 2008 in the Harborside Healthcare Twin Oaks in Danvers following a brief illness.
Born in Northwood, New Hampshire on April 14, 1916, he was the son of the late Arthur and Mary (Micklou) Cormier. He had resided in the Ryal Side section of Beverly for most of his life.
Bill was employed as a machinist at the former Reid Bros. / Post Machine in Beverly for forty-seven years before his retirement in 1981. He had also owned and operated his own catering business for many years. Bill was most proud of his children and their accomplishments, and was extremely proud of his musical Cormier Family. He played in bands most of his life with many talented musicians. "Just Friends Jazz Band" was the band he played in during his retirement. They entertained all at the Senior Center in Beverly once a month, noting that he and the band members were also in their 80's. His instrument was the bass fiddle but played piano, uke, and trombone in his early years. He always did the vocals; singing was his favorite.
A lifetime member of the United Machinist Union, Musicians Union, Franco American Club, and the Union Club, he was also chairman of the American Heart Assoc. and an active member of the Ryal Side Civic Association in Beverly.
He is survived by two daughters, Anita Cross and Thelma Johnson both of Beverly, two sons and daughters-in-law, William and Cathy Cormier of Beverly and Glenn and Nancy Cormier of Stoneham, twelve grandchildren, David Cross, Mark and his wife, Kim Cross, Randy and his wife, Dina Cross, Scott Cross, Jodi Johnson, Sherri and her husband, David Carnevale, Todd Johnson and his wife, Monica Johnson, Barry and his wife, Donna Johnson, Adam Cormier, Joshua Cormier, Meghan Cormier and Hannah Cormier, ten great-grandchildren, Katelynn, Cameron, Aaron and Jacob Cross, Ryan, Brendon and Devin Carnevale and Nico, Kyle and Casey Johnson, a brother, Emile Cormier of Danvers, three sisters, Cecelia Fleming of Danvers, Pauline Coffee of Newburyport and Celest Frasier of Beverly and several nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his wife, Florence A. (Woods) Cormier, two sisters, Doris Cormier and May Hayes, five brothers, Vernon, Lionel, Leonard, Arthur and Kenneth Cormier.
His funeral services will be held on Thursday in the Grondin Funeral Home, 376 Cabot St., Beverly at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9 – 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Assoc., 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472. Interment will be held in the North Beverly Cemetery.