William J. “Bill” Haskins

William J. Haskins, 75, of West Palm Beach (WPB), FL, formerly of South Boston, MA, died unexpectedly May 5, 2013.

Beloved husband of Frances E. (Doherty) Haskins. The son of the late Terrance Haskins and Catherine (Walsh) McDonough, he was born in South Boston MA on July 28, 1937. Also survived by his daughter, Susan Haskins of Rockland, his sons, William J. Haskins, Jr., of Boston and fiance Linda Piersall of WPB; Terrence Haskins and wife Tammy (O’Brien) of Norwell; and Timothy Haskins and wife Nancy (McKenna) of Pelham NH; and step-daughter Peg O’Connell of Methuen. Loving Grandfather to Ashley, Cameron, Stephen, Ben, Brianna, Tony, Audrey, Shea, Liam, Owen, Evan Haskins; Jason and Steven Edgar and great-grandfather to Malikai. He was the brother of Jack Haskins and wife Lenore of Dorchester, Regina Murphy of Carver and the late Thomas McDonough. Also survived by countless nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.

Bill was born in South Boston, and was extremely proud of his Irish heritage, visiting Ireland with his wife, Fran and favorite in-laws Tom and Carol Doherty of Nahant, they made a special stop at the Haskins’ Pub in Sligo. He was an honorably discharged Air Police K-9 handler in the U.S. Air Force and was one of “Boston’s Finest”-a retired Boston Police Officer.

Bill “retired” with his wife, Fran to West Palm Beach in 1988. Not the type to not work, he worked for many years at Brown and Beres Design in WPB starting out as a delivery driver and becoming an essential part of their operation, making many loving friends. He worked as a security guard in Palm Beach, and most recently a school crossing guard for the West Palm Beach Police, a job that brought him back to his true love of always helping people.

 Bill had an inventive, creative and resourceful mind and the biggest heart. He will be fondly remembered for years to come in the countless stories those who knew him will share.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Sunday 4-7 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street (Rte 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital)  Relatives and friends will gather in the funeral home at 9:00 AM on Monday prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Francis Xavier Church, Weymouth at 10 AM. Burial in MA National Cemetery, Bourne.

In lieu of flowers donations in Bill’s memory may made to the Boys and Girls Club at www.bgca.org