William Michael Fordham Jr., 83, of Westover, MD, passed away Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in New York City on Dec 3, 1933 to the late William and Margaret (Whelan) Fordham. He resided for many years in Lincroft, New Jersey where he was a member of Saint Leo the Great Parrish. He was very active volunteering with the Knights of Columbus, Bingo and the yearly Elementary School Carnival Fundraiser. He also was a member of Shore Wildlife. William retired from New Jersey Natural Gas in 1989 after 27 years when he moved to the Eastern Shore in Westover, MD.
A 27 year faithful parishioner of St Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Westover, he was one of the founding members of the Knights of Columbus Council 11616 where was a fourth degree Knight and served as Grand Knight in 1998-1999. He was very active and volunteered countless hours with the Knights of Columbus, The Seton Center, the food bank and St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church.
Bill was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating. He was passionate about nature and the outdoors. He loved raising and training his Labrador Retrievers and always had one by his side.
A devoted husband and father, he leaves behind his loving wife of 61 years, Marie Fordham (Curtin) and two daughters Deborah Wunder and her husband Jerry of Westover, and Marie Aruffo and her late husband TJ Aruffo of Lakewood Ranch, FL. He is also survived by his sisters, Lucy Migliori and husband Bob , Patricia Jimeson and husband Scott; sister in law Kathy Fordham, wife of the late Raymond Fordham; brother in law Joseph Curtin and wife Pat and five grandchildren, Matt Aruffo, Meghan Aruffo, TJ Cooney (Jess), Connor Cooney (Shelby), Seamus Cooney and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Westover on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 @ 11 AM. Memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers to St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, Ron Constance, Principal, 500 Camden Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21801.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Greenbrier Home Health, Delmarva Home Health and Coastal Hospice for the excellent care that they extended to William Fordham.