William D. Morrissey

William D. Morrissey, 87, of 60 Paul Drive, Lee, MA died August 1, 2021. Born in Elmhurst, New York on August 16, 1933, he was the son of Francis B. and Mercedes Kennedy Morrissey. Bill was educated in both private and public schools in metropolitan New York and graduated from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, NY in 1951. After high school, Bill was drafted into the US Army and served proudly in the Korean War attaining the rank of Corporal. After serving in the US Army, he graduated from Fairfield University with a degree in Economics. He became a corporate internal auditor working in the USA, Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Brazil for different corporations. In 1989 he retired from Federal Paper Board Company, Montvale, NJ.

Bill was also active in the community. A communicant of St. Mary's Church in Lee, MA, he served on its Parish Council and was a lector. He was a third degree member of Berkshire Hills Council 314 Knights of Columbus of Lee, MA, where he was a member for 42 years serving as Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Youth Activities Director, Columbian Squires Director, Vocation Representative/Springfield, and Family of the Month/Year State Chairman. In those 42 years, Bill recruited 34 men to join the Knights. In 2018, Bill was given a Service Award in recognition of his Outstanding Service and Dedication to the Berkshire Hills Council 314.

In 1995, Bill hit the big screen playing a minister in the Hollywood film “Before and After” starring Meryl Streep and Liam Neeson. He interviewed for the non-speaking part and carried out his role in the film at the Tyringham Cemetery.

Bill self-published two small books he wrote. One is “Trinity's Dilemma” about the three legged abandoned dog he found on the Taconic Parkway that found a home with us and lived with us for 14 years. The other is a story called “Goober and Timmy” about a boy and his dog. Illustrations were done by his great nephew, Cameron.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Hayes Morrissey, who he married July 17, 1976. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary this year. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Patricia Plourde and brother-in-law Edmund Hayes (Susan), eleven nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews.

A sincere thank you to the staff at Craneville Place for their dedicated care of Bill for 16 months during this Covid 19 pandemic. It was such a challenging time for Bill and all residents and staff. Bill loved to sing and would entertain the residents when the building was in lock down for so many months.

Funeral Services will be Friday, August 6, 2021 with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, Main St. Lee, MA. Rev. Brian McGrath, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held at St. Mary's Church from 10 a.m. to the time of the service. Donations, in Bill's memory, may be made to St. Mary's Church or Berkshire Hills Council 314 Knights of Columbus in care of the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St. Lee, MA.