William “Bill” Vermilye McKenney of Redding, CT and Chappaqua, NY, passed away Thursday, January 17, 2019, at the age of 91.
Bill spent the past 11 years residing at Meadow Ridge in Redding, CT where he could be close to his daughter, Allyson Florkowski, son-in-law John Florkowski, and grandchildren Jack and Meagan Florkowski. While there, he served on many boards and ran the Meadow Ridge Country store. Prior to moving to Meadow Ridge, Bill, his wife Shirley who passed in 2005, and their daughter, Allyson, lived in Chappaqua, NY where he was active in organizations including United Way, the New Castle Republican Town Committee and S.C.O.R.E.
Bill was born September 15, 1927, in Plainfield, NJ to Philip and Mary (Vermilye) McKenney. He had two brothers, Richard and Philip Jr., both now deceased. Shortly after he graduated from Plainfield High School, Bill walked into a United States Marines Corp. recruiting office and signed up to serve during World War II. Once honorably discharged, he attended Rutgers University and later New York University for his MBA. He worked in finance for many years finally retiring from Tomen America Inc.
There were four things Bill was truly passionate about, his family, his friends, his basset hound(s) and tennis. He was an avid tennis player enjoying the game until well into his 80s. But his love for tennis never outshined his love for his family, especially his two grandchildren, Jack and Meagan, of whom he was immensely proud.
Friends will be received on Friday, January 25, 2019, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, CT. Graveside funeral services will take place on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to United Way of Western Connecticut, 301 Main St., Suite 2-5, Danbury, CT 06810 www.uwwesternct.org.
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