William Martin Fynan's Obituary
William M. Fynan, of Cinnaminson passed away on Monday, October 21, 2019 at the age of 94. Son of the late John J. Fynan Sr. and Lillian Pestridge Fynan, Bill was born and raised on Second St. in Riverside. He attended St. Peter’s Parochial School and Riverside High School. Growing up in a small town, he was given the nickname ‘Gator’ by his teammates during his time playing school football and basketball. He left school in 1942 to enlist in the Navy, becoming an Aviation Ordinance Man 2nd Class, Fleet Air Wing 11, Armaments, Hato Field in Curacao, NWI. He was very proud of his service to his country during WWII and as a member of the Greatest Generation.
He married his high school sweetheart Shirley “Zip” Zipperlein in 1950 and that same year they moved to Collegeville, PA, for Bill to attend Ursinus College on the G.I. Bill. His love of football also saw him playing three years on the varsity team. He was a member of Zeta Chi Fraternity and the Ursinus Varsity Club.
After graduating in 1953 with a BA degree, they moved back to Riverside to settle down to raise their family, enjoying socializing with family and friends. He began teaching and coaching football at Riverside HS that same year and was involved with forming the local Semi-Pro football teams for Riverside Turners, Riverside Eagles and Blair A.C., playing varsity football for three years as quarterback.
Bill left teaching in 1959 to accept a position with the Hertz Corp. as City Manager of Miami Beach, FL, and subsequent moves to Phoenix, AZ and Pittsburgh, PA. Bill moved the family back to South Jersey in 1966, settling in Cinnaminson to follow his heart and pursue his passion for teaching. He returned to teaching & coaching football at Bordentown Regional HS, while attending Rider College for his Masters Degree in Education & Guidance Counseling. He became Guidance Director at the newly built Delran High School in 1975, assisting as a varsity football coach, and retiring in 1989. During this time, Bill was a contributor for the Burlington County Times, covering high school sports and writing feature articles.
Doc, as he was affectionally know throughout the local Rancocas Valley Baseball League, became the team trainer for the Cinnaminson Sr. Babe Ruth, Burlington Nats 1980, Senior Babe Ruth World Series Team and the Cinnaminson RVL teams. After contributing his sports prowess for many years traveling with the teams, he retired in order to spend more time as a devoted fan watching his grandchildren play sports, along with supporting the local high school teams. During his retirement, he was invited as a guest speaker at local schools to talk about his Naval service during WW II and the attack on Pearl Harbor.
A sentimental guy, he was a true Irishman who loved to reminisce & tell stories about growing up during the great depression, his family and courting his sweetheart Shirley (walking downtown for a boost or ice cream and listening to music on the juke box). He had a wealth of knowledge on just about any subject, which he enjoyed sharing with anyone who was lucky enough to be in his company.
He was a talented woodworker making unique furniture, along with refinishing & caning antique chairs for his family. His hobbies also included spending time in the kitchen, canning & preserving summer fruits and vegetables, along with making his famous white clam sauce and homemade soups from Shirley’s recipes. He was an avid reader, especially enjoying books about WWII, American History, and reading his daily Wall Street Journal. He was happy listening to his Big Band music, and enjoyed playing golf & softball in his younger years. Bill also enjoyed his time bartending at the Delran Knights of Columbus for various events, and spending Friday nights playing poker with his fellow K of C buddies. He was a fixture of the community, and could always be seen sitting outside at the homestead, soaking in the sun while reading or working on his daily crossword puzzles. He had zest for life & always looked on the bright side!
A longtime parishioner and usher at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Bill was always ready to volunteer his time and talent at the annual carnival, expertly shucking clams for the seafood & beer tent. He was a lifetime member of St. John Neumann K of C Council #1436, past member of VFW Post 3020, former president of the Blair A.C. Association, and honored inductee of the Delran HS Athletic Hall of Fame.
Pre-deceased by beloved wife of 69 years, Shirley (Zipperlein), infant daughter Kathleen and brother John J. (Marion)Fynan Jr. of Belaire Bluffs, FL. He is survived by his children Sheryl Adelman, Maureen Rust and Kevin (Carla) Fynan. Loving Pop-Pop to grandchildren Matthew Adelman, Mark (Krystal) Adelman, Katie Rust, Brian (Lia) Rust, Cole and Chase Fynan and great grandchildren Luke, Ella and Jack Adelman and Lillianna Rust Bolli and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was dearly loved, and will be greatly missed and remembered!
Relatives and friends are invited for visitation at Givnish of Cinnaminson, 1200 Route 130 North, on Monday evening, October 28th from 6 – 8:30 pm, followed by a remembrance tribute from 8:30 pm to 9 pm. Additional visitation will be held Tuesday morning, October 29th, from 9 am to 10 am. The liturgy mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 am at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 2500 Branch Pike, Cinnaminson. Interment with military honors will follow at 12:30 pm at Beverly National Cemetery, 916 Bridgeboro Rd., Edgewater Park, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Charles Borromeo School, 2500 Branch Pike, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077, or to the Knights of Columbus Council #1436, Bridgeboro Rd., Delran, NJ 08075. Condolences and fondest memories may be shared at www.Givnish.com.
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