William Joseph Fitzsimmons

William 'Bill' Fitzsimmons passed away peacefully on July 14, 2023, surrounded by his family in Sun City - Hilton Head, Bluffton, SC.  Bill was 90 years old, or as he would say "halfway to 180!"

Bill was born to William and Margaret Fitzsimmons in Holyoke, Massachusetts in May 1933.  After graduating from Holyoke High School, he went on to graduate from Hampden College of Pharmacy.  After college Bill fulfilled his draft duty and joined the Army, where he served as a Hospital Pharmacist.  Bill was transferred to Frankfurt, Germany, where his wife Kay joined him.

Upon returning to the states, Bill and Kay purchased a home in West Springfield, MA, where they would go on to raise four children.  Bill spent his entire 37-year Pharmacist career at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, while also working part time at Smith's Drugs in West Springfield.  As the longtime Assistant Director of Pharmacy at Mercy Hospital, he helped the Pharmacy evolve into the trendsetting, innovative department that it became.  He volunteered countless hours to the United Way campaigns, community groups, and the Health System Credit Union.

Bill is predeceased by his parents and his sister Margaret Foley.  Bill is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Kay and their four children - Kevin (Cheryl) Fitzsimmons, Kathleen (Ken) Felton, William (Annmarie) Fitzsimmons III and Eileen (Jim) Breinlinger.  He was blessed with six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  Bill is also survived by his sister Mary Bailey, his brother in-law John Shea and his sister in-laws Eileen Minkley and Mary Shea, SSJ.

Bill had a passion for his family and when he was not on the golf course, he could be found watching his grandchildren playing in various levels of sporting events throughout the years.  Bill was an avid reader of all kinds of books he would find in the local libraries.  He loved golfing, skiing, bocce, extreme sudoku, and in his later years, a good walking trail or the indoor lap pool.  His battle with various medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life with a smile.  He found humor in just about anything and was constantly telling Dad jokes long before it became a thing.  He was an amazing father with strong family values that carried over to his everyday life.  The world was lucky to have such a caring, loving, honest and loyal man, who was a friend to all.

Our family would like to extend sincere thanks and gratitude for all the wonderful in-home care the staff from Hospice Care of the Lowcountry rendered to our Dad.  The family had a private service in Sun City.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Bill's name to the local library of your choice.