Monday, November 9, 2009
William L. Concannon
There are many teachers on the Wahey Boys list of individuals that made an impact in our lives for various reasons. Certainly we all have a story involving Mr. Concannon. Whether the "good cop, bad cop routine" between Mr. Concannon and Buzzy Knight was planned or not, we'll probably never know. Suffice it say, if you wound up with "Conc", you knew the punishment would be painful and memorable.
William L. Concannon of Weymouth, Massachusetts, and Fort Pierce, Florida, died on November 7. He was 81 years old, just six weeks shy of turning 82.
Mr. Concannon was the retired Vice-Principal of Weymouth High School, a role he cherished from 1968 until his
retirement in 1990. Prior to this, he had been a teacher in the Weymouth School system since 1958, a role he also loved. In each position he carried a particular authority, earning his reputation as a great teacher and formidable disciplinarian.
The military played a particularly important role in Mr. Concannon's life. Joining the Marines right out of high school, Mr. Concannon trained at Parris Island. He was on active duty during the Korean Conflict. In the mid 1950s he joined the Army Reserves and as a result of his commitment and passion to serving our country, eventually retired as a Brigadier General from the Massachusetts National Guard.
Raised alone by his mother, Emma Whalen Concannon, after his father died when he was three months old, Mr. Concannon was keenly aware of the value of family.
He married the late A. Marie Sullivan in 1951 and with her created a family of six children all, of whom married people he loved. This includes William and Maryellen of Rockland, John and Jean of Hanover, the deceased Donna Lank and John of Attleboro, Brian and Grace of Norwell, Denis and Denise of Abington, and James and Sandra also of Abington. Mr. Concannon enjoyed the company and accomplishments of fourteen grandchildren from the marriages of his children. Also survived by his brother in law John W. Sullivan of Dorchester.
In 1999 Mr. Concannon married Ann Lenihan and with her enjoyed a warm and happy retirement in Florida. Ann's children became part of Mr. Concannon's life and include James and Deborah of Cortlandt Manor, NY; Sharon and Al Kisby of Schenectady, NY; William of Randolph, NJ; and Mariann and Louis Cassara of Westhampton, NY. The Lenihan family added 10 grandchildren to the fold expanding Mr. Concannon's treasured role as Poppy to 24 grandchildren.
In addition to being husband, father, grandfather, teacher, and military man, Mr. Concannon was also a former FBI Agent, Special Police officer for the town of Needham, law student, piano player, a Masters Educated professional, and planner of flawless high school graduation ceremonies. Mr. Concannon's life will be remembered at the McDonald Funeral Home, Route 18, South Weymouth on Wednesday from 4 - 8PM. Friends and family will gather at the funeral home at 9AM on Thursday followed by a Mass of the Resurrection at St. Albert the Great church in Weymouth at 10 AM. Mr. Concannon will be buried at Saint Joseph's cemetery in West Roxbury.
Donations may be made to the William L. Concannon Scholarship Fund, Weymouth Scholarship Committee c/o Weymouth Town Hall, 75 Middle Street, Weymouth, MA 02188.
Click here to sign Mr. Concannon's Guest Book.
POSTED BY STAN on November 9, 2009
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