Bill Funchion’s connection with Gorey always remained strong
Bill Funchion (78) of Naperville, Chicago, US, and formerly of Gorey, sadly passed away on Sunday, September 16, 2018.
He was born in 1939, to Sergeant Val and Mary Funchion. His father was a member of An Garda Síochána, who served in Hollyfort for many years. Bill attended the Christian Brother Secondary School in Gorey and passed his Leaving Certificate in 1958.
Bill emigrated to Chicago and worked in banking, before joining the FDIC and then the State of Illinois Bank Examiners. He attended university at night and earned two Master Degrees; one in Business and one in Communications. After retiring from his career in banking, Bill taught English at Waubonsee Community College for 17 years.
Although Bill emigrated from the area more than 60 years ago, he always maintained a close and intimate connection with Gorey and arranged reunions with his old friends and classmates on his many visits. Ever the sociable person, when he came home to see his mother he looked up his old friends and was never shy to meet in the pub or in the bookie’s office. He loved all sport, in particular American football, baseball and basketball and his interest in GAA games was phenomenal. He followed all county games and his knowledge of such would put a local enthusiast to shame. Of course there was never a serious intercounty game played without a bet being placed.
Bill had many, and varied, friends in Chicago through his hobbies of Tai-Chi Exercise, Poker, Chess, Backgammon, Public Speaking and Writing.
In his middle years, Bill tragically lost his only daughter, Mona, to a rare cancer. Her death affected him to his core, for the remainder of his life.
Four days before he died, Bill organised, via Skype, a meeting with six friends who gathered to say farewell. It was a poignant moment, fraught with a sense of anxiety with which they were not familiar, and quite uncomfortable. As it transpired, the conversation was jovial, witty and had the feeling of an ordinary social meeting. At that gathering in Gorey one participant remembers Bill’s exact answer to someone’s age – a serious part of the conversation at issue – which demonstrated extraordinary recall.
After the chat, the friends sat for some time, and being of the same school year, were forced to contemplate issues that they would not normally broach. That 20 minute chat will for ever be remembered, as it was such a seminal moment, be it ever so late in their lives. The school friends of Bill who gathered were; Larry O’Shaughnessy, Garry Lombard, Peter Buttle, Frank D’Arcy, Pat Kinsella and earlier that day Bill spoke with Peter Kennedy. Bill’s wife and family wish to thank those mentioned above and to say that Bill enjoyed the meeting and was thrilled to have had the last word. His passing will be a sad and lasting memory for all.
He is survived by his wife Mary (nee McLaughlin), sons; David & his wife Moira, Dermot and Bill, sister Mary (Violet), sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and relatives in Waterford, friends and neighbours.