William Francis McDermott

William Francis “Bill” McDermott died peacefully in the early hours of January 1, 2026, New Years Day and the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, to whom he was particularly devoted. He succumbed at the age of 76 in hospice care in Jupiter, Florida after a month-long struggle with liver cancer. Bill was born on July 12,1949 in Hartford, Connecticut to John F. (Jack) and Kathleen Rice McDermott (nee McGreevy). His sister Joan joined the family on June 30, 1951. After his family moved to North Palm Beach Village in 1958, Bill attended St. Francis Xavier Elementary School in Riviera Beach, Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach and Princeton University, Class of 1971, where he was a Woodrow Wilson Scholar and a member of The Cloisters Inn. Bill was a lifelong New York Yankee fan and, in his early years received many academic awards, including6 the General Excellence Medal in grammar school, which he should have won two years in a row. However, in the second year he was told that because he had won the medal the previous year it should be awarded to someone else. Bill’s response: “Don’t the Yankees win the pennant every year?” At Cardinal Newman, Bill was selected as Chief Justice of the prestigious Florida Boys State program. Over the years, Bill was always volunteering, among other things, as a guide at MacArthur Beach Nature Center in North Palm Beach. Aside from his travels with his family to Ireland to explore his parents’ Irish heritage, trips to the Holy Land, the birthplace of his faith, and numerous other trips, most recently a month-long stay in Paris, his last 25 years revolved around his faith and tennis. A devout Catholic, Bill was a beloved member of St. Clare R.C. parish in North Palm Beach where, among other activities, he was a reader at Mass and a member of the church choir. Bill was also a Third Degree member of the Santa Maria Council of the Knights of Columbus, participating in its many charitable activities, including working at their popular Friday night bingo games. As to tennis, for 24 years Bill was a stalwart at the Palm Beach Gardens Tennis Center (now tennis and pickleball), where he developed so many lasting friendships. Bill was predeceased by his parents Jack and Kathleen and his little sister Joan. He is survived by his maternal uncle Bob McGreevy and his wife Mona, as well as eleven maternal first cousins and their families. Bill’s life will be celebrated on Friday, January 16, 2026 at a 10A.M. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Clare R.C. Church,821 Prosperity Farms Road, North Palm Beach, with interment following at Riverside Memorial Park, 19351 SE County Line Road, Tequesta Florida, where his parents are buried. Following interment, the Knights of Columbus will host a reception for Bill at 1pm at their council hall at 11499 Prosperity Farms Road, North Palm Beach to which all of Bill’s friends and neighbors are invited. Donations in Bill’s memory may be made to St. Clare’s “Building Our Future Legacy” Capital Campaign, or a charity of your choosing.

William Francis McDermott

July 12, 1949 - January 1, 2026