Remembering the life of William Geary (2024)

Lawrence - A self described independent spirit who shunned the limelight, Bill had an adventurous soul which saw him drive cross country as a young man long before GPS' and Google Maps ever existed with only a Rand-McNally atlas and a sense of adventure. He also hitchhiked his way across the USA with his backpack on his back on a few occasions. WIlliam Daniel Geary, 65, of Lawrence, passed away Friday, June 14, 2024.
Bill was born in Lawrence in 1959 to Daniel Edward Geary and Mary (Bettencourt) Geary. Bill attended Lawrence Public Schools including the Essex Street School, Bruce School, and Oliver Jr High School. Bill graduated from Lawrence High School in 1977. While attending public schools, Bill played CYO basketball for St. Augustine's in Tower Hill, Lawrence. Several years later, he returned to coach youth basketball culminating in a championship season at the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club. Bill also attended and graduated from the University of Lowell, focusing on history and secondary education.
Being the oldest of seven children, Bill was the typical oldest child - independent and self driven. After graduating college, Bill drove cross country by answering an ad in a magazine and settled in Thousand Oaks, CA for a couple of years. He later enjoyed several hitchhiking trips across the USA. Prior to embracing his love for being "On the Road" following one of his early heroes from another Massachusetts mill town, Jack Kerouac, Bill was very involved in coaching youth basketball at the Lawrence Boys and GIrls club where he was once named "Boy of the Year".
Bill loved history. He shared this passion with hundreds of students over the years as a history teacher at Lawrence High School for 25 years before retiring several years ago. Although known as a "strict" teacher, students throughout the years came to know and respect him as a conscientious teacher who truly cared about them and their success. He knew their struggles but recognized their potential and worked tirelessly to have them recognize it as well. After retiring from Lawrence High School, Bill worked as a cook for Carleen's Coffee Shop. He also stayed sharp employing his keen sense of humor and cutting debating skills while working as a bartender for Hayes Tavern where he leaves behind many friends.
Bill was also an avid reader and one of the most intellectually honest people to walk the earth. His sense of morals, ethics and justice were well developed and he always argued for the "common man". Bill also was an avid writer, both prose and poetry, influenced by such greats as Kerouac, Ginsburg, Burroughs, and Cassady. Earlier in life, Bill enjoyed works by Bradbury, Orwell and Hesse.
Bill loved music, especially the blues. He co-owned and operated an alternative music store in Newburyport in the early 1980's. He maintained an extensive collection of all genres of music in a variety of forms; including an impressive collection of the one true medium of music - vinyl. Bill enjoyed running, riding his bike, and spending time at the beach. In his younger years, he was known to be a fairly decent body surfer and never hesitated to test his skills later on as well. Bill greatly enjoyed spending time with his siblings and nieces and nephews. Bill was famous for his early arrivals and silent Irish goodbyes at family gatherings - valuing big quality over limited quantity. His yearly Christmas gift, orange chocolate balls, to everyone will be sorely missed.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Daniel and Mary. He is survived by his six siblings, Kevin and wife Stacey West of Sandown, NH; Timothy and wife Cynthia of Claremont, CA; Stephan and wife Stacey of Merrimack, NH; Ellen and husband John Farrington of Atkinson, NH, Frances (Fran) and husband Ehab Morcos of Nashua, NH; and Mary of Atkinson, NH. Bill is also survived by his 16 nieces and nephews: Emily, Conor, Riordan, Phoebe, Josie, Fiona, Liam, Catherine, Jonathan, Matthew, Erin, Abby, Molly, Grace, Mina and Daniel, and his great nephew and niece: James and Jessica.
Relatives & friends are invited to attend visiting hours at the Diaz-Healy Funeral Home, 107 South Broadway, Lawrence on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 from 4 - 7 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. At the family's request, interment will be private.

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Published on June 19, 2024