William John Mortimer Sr.

Jul 21,1929 - Sep 8, 2018

William John Mortimer, Sr., age 89, of Fairfield, beloved husband of the late Patricia ( Wagner) Mortimer, passed away Saturday, September 8, 2018. Bill was born in Brooklyn, NY, July 21, 1929, son of the late John and Mary ( Hennessy) Mortimer and was a longtime resident of Fairfield. Always humble about his many accomplishments, Bill was a United States Army veteran of the Korean War and a graduate of Saint John’s Prep and Saint John’s University where he received a full academic scholarship and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Journalism from Columbia University. While attending Saint John’s, he was a member of Signa Tau Alpha Fraternity, the Skull & Circle Honor Society and was Sports Editor- in- Chief of the Saint John’s University newspaper, “The Torch”. After the army, he joined the staff of the “New York Herald Tribune” as Sports Editor. He went on to found “Auto Merchandising News”, a national trade publication in the automotive aftermarket from which he retired as President and CEO. Bill was a devout Catholic and a communicant of Assumption Church in Fairfield. Of all his many accomplishments, Bill was most proud of his children and grandchildren. Survivors include his seven children, William Mortimer and his fiancée Bethzaida, Theresa ( Mortimer) Rossignol, Dr. Marylou Mortimer and her husband Clark Lee, Dr. Anthony Mortimer, John Mortimer, Gina Mortimer and Gloria Mortimer; four grandchildren, Jamie Mortimer, John Rossignol, Mackenzie Mortimer and Alexandra Soltis; his sister Mary O’Hara of Queens, NY; sister- in- law Rosemary ( Wagner) Lyons of New Jersey and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Jack and Edward Mortimer. Friends may visit the family Sunday, September 16, 2018 from 2: 00 p. m. to 5: 00 p. m. in the William R. McDonald Funeral Home, 2591 Main St., Stratford, CT. In the tradition of the Irish, following calling hours, friends are invited to continue the celebration of Bill’s life at the Ole Dog Tavern, Stratford, from 5: 00 p. m. to 8: 00 p. m. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will take place Monday, September 17, 2018, at 11 a. m. in Our Lady of Assumption Church, 545 Stratfield Road, Fairfield. Interment with military honors will be Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 11: 00 a. m. in Saint Peter’s Cemetery, Danbury, CT. For additional information or to share a message of condolence, visit www.wrmcdonaldfuneralhome.com.