William J. Hornby - William J. Hornby, 68, of Salisbury, Massachusetts, died unexpectedly on March 16, 2009 while vacationing in Florida. He was surrounded by family and friends at the time of his passing. Bill was the son of the late William H. and Catherine T. (Donovan) Hornby and was raised in Lowell, Massachusetts. He raised his own family in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and spent his retirement years by the beach in Salisbury. Bill will be greatly missed by his wife of 44 years, Patricia (Flynn) Hornby, his son William P. Hornby and his wife Mary of North Reading, daughter Colleen M. Duncan and her husband Steven of Salisbury, and daughter Patricia M. Sullivan of Lawrence. He will also be missed by his beloved grandchildren, Patrick, Sarah, Billy, Jack, Matthew and Danny who will always carry many special memories of Grandpa with them.
Bill was a man of great faith and a longtime parishioner of St. Patrick's Church in Lawrence and Star of the Sea Church in Salisbury. He graduated from Keith Academy in Lowell in 1958, Boston College in 1963 and was a Certified Public Accountant. He had thirty-six years of service with the United States government, retiring in 2000 as the Boston Regional Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Bill greatly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He particularly enjoyed spending time at the beach and going to Boston College football games where he was an avid fan and season ticket holder and Central Catholic High School football and basketball games. He also took great pride while watching his grandchildren's various games and events. Most of all, he enjoyed the companionship of his wife Patricia, whether it be traveling, a simple dinner out, or spending time with their children and grandchildren.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 AM, Monday, March 23, 2009, at St. Patrick's Church, Lawrence, MA and interment will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell.
Friends may call between 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home Inc. 122 Amesbury Street, Lawrence, MA 01841. For more information or to send an online condolence please go to: www.breenfuneralhome.com
The family encourages donations to Central Catholic High School, Attn: Institutional Advancement Department, 300 Hampshire Street, Lawrence, MA 01841 where a scholarship fund will be established in Bill's memory. The family wishes to express its thanks to all of our friends who have been so supportive.