William H. Slattery, 82
Dateline: Norfolk, MA
William H. ‘Bill’ Slattery, a long-time resident of Norfolk, passed away at Care One Nursing Home in Newton MA on April 10 after a long battle with dementia. He was the beloved husband of Beverly (Rodrick) Slattery. They were married for 61 years, and had been sweethearts since first meeting when they were in 8th grade.
Bill was the son of the late Francis W. and Mildred J (Piepszak) Slattery. He is survived by his children Sean Slattery and wife, Kym Feltovic, of Weare NH, Christine Rankin and husband, Robbie, of Wrentham, grandchildren Cameron Rankin and Scott Rankin of Wrentham, and US Army Sgt. Keith Rankin presently stationed in S. Korea; sister, Patricia Reynolds and husband William of Wareham, sister-in-law Martha Slattery of Foxboro, wife of the late James Slattery; his wife’s family, Arlene Siegfried and husband William of Kerrville TX, Laurence Rodrick and wife MaryJean of Marion, and Jerilyn Farinella and long-time companion Luigi Giovino of Mansfield.
He is fondly remembered as ‘Uncle Will’ by his many nieces and nephews, many of whom found themselves doing farm chores when they came to visit.
Bill loved fishing and going out on his boat. He also loved antique cars and going to NASCAR races.
He graduated from Mansfield High School in 1960 then attended Bentley School of Accounting. He changed direction and decided to pursue a career in real estate, construction and later farming. He enjoyed designing, building and customizing equipment unique to growing cranberries, and was a grower-owner of Ocean Spray Cranberries. Bill was involved in many projects for Joseph Rezza, the largest when he oversaw the construction of the roads and infrastructure for the Woodland Park subdivision in North Attleboro.
He was active on the Norfolk County Farm Bureau Board of directors and a delegate to the State Farm Bureau Convention. He was past president and lifetime honorary member of the Wrentham Anglers Club, and instrumental in the rebuilding of the clubhouse after it burned down in November, 1983; and a member of Norfolk Boy Scout Troop 80 committee, organizing a few of their pancake breakfasts. He was also a proud mentor to his son and three grandsons in the completion of their Eagle Scout projects.
Visiting hours, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Wednesday, April 17th from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield.
Burial will be held privately at a later date at the Spring Brook Cemetery in Mansfield.
Donations in Bill's memory to help a scout with his Eagle project may be made to: Boy Scouts Troop 80, c/o Emily Woodward, Federated Church, P.O. Box 315, Norfolk, MA 02056.
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com