NEWRY — William Herlihy, 80, passed away after struggles with numerous health problems for many years on Monday, Feb. 16, at his home, in the presence of his beloved wife and daughter.

Oct. 25th he celebrated his 80th birthday. Kingston, N.Y. was home through his sophomore year in high school when his parents, John and Mary Dinsmore Herlihy moved their business to Fairfield, Conn., where Bill was a 1952 graduate from Roger Ludlow H.S. He attended the University of Michigan, then served in the submarine service before finishing his degree in marketing from the University of Bridgeport in 1959. His career included the Vick’s Co., insurance, investment banking (testifying before a senate sub-committee regarding an employee stock buyout plan was a highlight), credit and collections, and real estate sales for Newry’s Sunday River and Highland Green in Topsham.

Summers at Camp Etowah in Fryeburg cemented his love of Maine (his mother was from Dover-Foxcroft), which became his permanent home in 1980. His passion for skiing moved him to setting up media station competitions to support the early days of Maine Handicapped Skiing Ski-a-thon. Sailing was his favorite summer pastime. Other joys came from reading WWII books, N.Y. Giants and Michigan Wolverines football, things Irish, big chocolate chip cookies, feeding the birds, walking along the Sunday River and, especially, the joy in being with Susan, who he married on Sept. 28, 1990.

He had a knack for storytelling — those stories often included his brothers, who predeceased him: Jack (a torpedo bomber in WWII) and Bob (for whom Herlihy Peak in the Sierra is named).

He is survived by Susan; his daughter, Kerry Herrick of Sebago; his son, Brian of Chino, Calif.; Susan’s daughter, Julie of Orono and son John of Yarmouth; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three nephews and two nieces.

There will be a Celebration of Life at West Parish Congregational Church in Bethel, at 11:30 a.m. on March 14.

Arrangements by Cliff Gray Cremation & Funeral Service, 60 Andrews Road, Bryant Pond.

Those wishing to remember Bill may make a donation to: Maine Adaptive Sports & Rec. or Androscoggin Home Health & Hospice Center.