Lt. William J. Fannon, Sr. (Ret. NFD), passed away on December 9, 2010 at the Metro West Medical Center – Leonard Morse Hospital Hospital in Natick. He was 82 years old & the beloved husband of the late Marion C. (Gallant) Fannon who passed away in 2009 & with whom he shared 58 years of marriage.
Born in Natick, Lt. Fannon was a lifelong resident & graduate of Natick High School. He also earned his AS degree from Northeastern University in Boston. Lt. Fannon served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was the recipient of the Combat Infantry Badge, the Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, & the National Defense Service Medal. Lt. Fannon joined the Natick Fire Department on Jan. 16, 1955, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on July 1, 1963, & retired on June 30, 1970. He later worked as a lab technician at the Leonard Morse Hospital from 1975 until his retirement in 1990. A winter resident of Dunedin, FL, he was an avid reader & devoted Boston Red Sox & Bruins fan. Lt. Fannon was a member of the Natick Elks, a life member of the American Legion Post #107 in Natick, the Massachusetts Firefighters Association, & the IAFF. Lt. Fannon deeply believed the sun “rose and shined” on his family & was devoted to their happiness. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren & great-grandchildren.
Lt. Fannon is survived by 4 children, William J. Fannon, Jr. & his wife Janet of Hopkinton, Peter E. Fannon of Clearwater Beach, FL, Rosemarie A. Coleman & her husband Thomas of Newton, & Linda M. Plachy & her husband Robert of Natick; 8 grandchildren; & 5 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Edwin Fannon of Ft. Lauderdale, FL & his sister, Catherine Nims of Natick.
Relatives & friends are invited to attend Lt. Fannon’s funeral from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St. (at Natick Common) NATICK on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 9:15 AM to be followed by his Mass of Christian Burial in St. Patrick’s Church at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow with military honors in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Natick. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, December 13, 2010 from 3-7 PM. Those wishing to remember Lt. Fannon may do so through memorial donations to the Natick Fireman’s Relief Association, 22 E. Central St. Natick, MA 01760.