HARRISON — Dr. William M. “Bill” Mahoney of Harrison, passed away on Saturday, April 15, 2017, of natural causes.

Bill was born on Oct. 19, 1920, and raised in West Bridgewater, Mass., the son of Francis and Margret (May) Mahoney. He was married to Ruth (Anderson) Mahoney in 1945 until her passing in 1996. Bill was a career educator. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Bridgewater State University, and both a Master’s and Doctorate in public school administration from Boston University. He began his teaching career in Norton, Mass., and while there assumed the roles of school principal and then school superintendent. He went on to serve as school superintendent for the towns of Glastonbury, Connecticut and Hingham, Mass., before retiring. During his working years, Bill was also a consultant to the American-Nicaraguan School in Managua, Nicaragua, and to the U.S. Department of State for staff development with the Overseas School of Administrators from Eastern Europe in Bucharest, Romania. He instructed in graduate level programs at Rhode Island College, Bridgewater State University and Northeastern University. He was a member of numerous professional organizations including the New England School Superintendents’ Association, the American Association of School Personnel Administrators, the Harvard Superintendents’ Roundtable, and the New England Association of School Curriculum and Development. In 1982, he was a recipient of the American Association of School Administrators’ “Distinguished Service” award.

Upon retiring, Bill and Ruth moved from their home in Hingham, Mass. to Harrison, where he continued to work as a consultant for the New England School Development Council for several years. He was elected as a board member for the old Northern Cumberland Memorial Hospital in Bridgton. Bill was active in his local community and church, where he was a member of the Harrison Lions Club and an active parishioner and choir member at the United Parish Congregational Church in Harrison. Bill’s favorite hobby was to collect and sell vintage guitars and was known to donate guitars to learning guitar students. Having played in Boston area jazz bands as a young man, Bill had a lifelong love for big band jazz swing music, and the music of Chet Atkins and Les Paul. He was also an auction aficionado, regularly attending local auctions in pursuit of vintage instruments and that occasional “hidden treasure in the attic.” Bill was a fan of all sports but especially loved the Boston Red Sox. And throughout his adult life, Bill enjoyed renovating old houses.

Of greatest importance to Bill was his family. He was blessed with five children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved them all and was loved in return. Bill is survived by his five children, Kathy Closson, and husband John of Wiscasset, Alice Bell and husband Rick of Plymouth, Mass., Dan Mahoney and wife Tammy of Kingston, N.H., Ann Petroska and husband Phil of Harrison, Tim Mahoney and wife Maria of Abington, Mass., and his many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends.

Bill was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Ruth A. Mahoney; his parents, his sister Lucille; and his brother Robert.

A memorial service will be held at the United Parish Congregational Church at 77 Main Street in Harrison, on Saturday, April 22, at 11 a.m., followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dr. William M. Mahoney Scholarship Fund at TD Bank on 2 Market Crossing, Plymouth, MA 02360, account number 8374890909.