Obituary of William M. (Bill) Sweeney

William M. (Bill) Sweeney of Halifax, MA passed away peacefully on November 25th at the age of 86. Bill was born on December 6, 1933 in Brookline, MA to Dennis and Mary (Keohane) Sweeney. Bill grew up in Brookline and in 1956 joined the Army being stationed at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. On leave on a snowy evening in December of that year, Bill and Dolly got married in Brookline and drove back to El Paso to finish out Bill’s service. They moved back briefly to Brookline and moved to Halifax permanently in 1965.

Bill attended Wentworth to become an electrician, worked for a sign company and built the iconic Citgo sign in Kenmore Square in 1965 writing his and Dolly’s initials in cement at the base of the sign. He went on to become a proud member of Local IBEW 103 and retired in 1999 and subsequently took a computer and art class at Massasoit and even had an art show.

Bill followed his passion by obtaining his private airplane pilot’s license and in 1984 built his own airplane, the Avid Flyer which was later housed at Cranland Airport in Hanson where he was a proud member of Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 279. Bill spent the happiest days of his life at Cranland working the fly-ins and loved nothing more than taking brave family members and friends up for rides in the tiny aircraft. He was also involved in re-creating Charles Lindbergh's famous flight path over Halifax.

Every person that met Bill would agree that he was a most gentle, kind and patient person and that includes every animal he ever met. His grandchildren maintain he is the sort that essays are written about. He was infinitely creative and artistic and for a quiet unassuming guy, he managed to make a few headlines including him and the Avid Flyer making an emergency landing on the New York State Thruway in 1995. He had to pay a $100 toll for that adventure. His last adventure, now called The Great Escape occurred on Halloween where he managed to walk more than 10 miles from home in Halifax to Kingston in freezing cold weather. Only Bill knew where he was headed on that early morning and here’s to hoping he has finally reached his destination and it’s everything he was looking for.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Dorothy (Dolly) Kenefick Sweeney, daughter Karen (Sweeney) Bere and son-in-law Bob of Pembroke. He was BG to Granddaughter Kristen (Bere) McEvoy presently of New Hampshire and grandson Dennis Bere of Pembroke. Bill is survived by his older brother John (Jack) Sweeney of Brighton. He also leaves behind his loving nieces and nephews that were a great part of his life.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held in 2021. Please consider donating to Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org.
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