William Francis Markey Jr, beloved son, brother, husband, father and grandfather to his family, and friend and mentor to so many, passed away peacefully at his home in Osterville MA on December 8th 2023, surrounded by loved ones. He was aged 84.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Elaine (Kraemer) Markey of Osterville MA, his son William F Markey III and his wife Joyce Kim of Long Grove IL, his daughter Heather Markey (Zink) of Dover MA & Osterville MA, and his six grandchildren Grady Zink, his fiancée Jenna Blouin, Shannon Zink, William Francis Zink, Griffin Zink, Anna Markey and Olivia Markey.
Bill was born on November 22nd 1939, in Boston MA to parents William F Markey & Rose (Sullivan) Markey. He was preceded in death by his sister Cornelia (Markey) Pickett in 2008, and Patricia (Markey) Keogh in 2018. The family lived in Auburndale MA and on Cape Cod.
He was a graduate of Providence College (BA ‘62) and Babson College (MBA ‘64), and remained actively involved with both schools as a trustee, board chairman, and leader of numerous committees and campaigns.
Bill began his career at General Foods in marketing. He and his business partner, Robert Bowser, opened a Management Recruiters franchise in Connecticut, and later expanded to Massachusetts. There, he and Bob founded Positions Inc in Wellesley MA, a successful executive recruiting and staffing firm, which was acquired by Blue Arrow of London. Bill helped guide the subsequent acquisition of Manpower Inc by Blue Arrow in 1987.
He continued to lead recruitment and staffing firms including Talent Tree, the Wilmark Group, and Armstrong Franklin, into new sectors including biotech, technology, and finance. Bill was instrumental to hundreds of young professionals and their careers, which brought him great joy.
He later served for many years on the board of trustees at Babson College, including as chairman for six years, on nominating, fundraising, and search committees, and the President’s Society. He was a lifelong supporter of Providence College, and served on its Centennial Committee in 2017.
Throughout his career and retirement, Bill had great style and was impeccably dressed every day, and for every occasion. His tailored suits, bright ties and pocket squares brought light and smiles everywhere.
Bill was an avid and accomplished runner, completing over 40 marathons including 34 consecutive Bostons, as well as multiple Falmouth Road Races and turkey trots. He was a contemporary of Bill Rodgers, Frank Shorter and Joanie Benoit in the 1970s, and fixture on suburban streets, training in all seasons and weather. He will be missed by the many people he routinely stopped to chat with.
After running, Bill took up cycling and rode in ten Pan Mass Challenge rides on Cape Cod with his two children, up to his 80th birthday in 2019. Like running, he did so as a supporter of Dana Farber cancer research.
Bill spent all his summers on Cape Cod in Centerville and Osterville. He loved sailing and boating, each vessel named Marathon, and spending time with his beloved grandchildren. Mop, as he was known, was so proud of their educational and professional achievements, and cherished their precious moments together.
Bill lived a wonderful life, and the American dream, by helping and inspiring others. He will be loved and remembered by all whose lives he touched.
A wake service will be held on December 18th from 3:00-7:00PM at the George F Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., (Rt.16) in Wellesley MA, and Funeral Mass on December 19th at 11:00AM at Our Lady of the Assumption in Osterville MA. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at
www.dana-farber.org, and the Pan Mass Challenge at
www.pmc.org