William J. Tierney

William John Tierney, age 78, of Jenson Beach, FL and formerly of Ringwood and Wayne, passed away at home on Sunday, December 19 while in the presence of loving family.

Bill was born in New York City and raised in Paterson, NJ. He attended Don Bosco Technology Academy in Paterson where he graduated with the Class of 1961.

After high school, Bill pursued higher education at Paterson State Teachers College, known today as William Paterson University. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in secondary education with emphasis in science and biology. His first teaching opportunity was at Netcong High School where he taught biology. Because his love of teaching was closely matched by his love of sports, Bill also coached varsity basketball that year in Netcong. From there he moved to Wayne and took similar teaching and coaching positions at Wayne Hills High School and, during his years there, Hills varsity basketball teams enjoyed winning records under Bill’s coaching. His career culminated with a move across town where he was Athletic Director for Wayne Valley High School before ultimately retiring from teaching and coaching in the early 1990’s. For many years following retirement Bill stayed active as a baseball umpire and football, soccer and basketball referee for numerous local sports leagues.

Outside of work, Bill lived a full and active life enjoying a variety of different pursuits. Of course, it should come as no surprise that he enjoyed relaxing in front of the television on Sundays to watch NFL football, but it certainly was unique that he was a fan of both the New York Giants and New England Patriots. One can only wonder who he rooted for when these rivals met up with each other in 2012 in the Super Bowl. One thing is for sure, there was no way Bill was going to be disappointed after that game!  As it turned out, his local Giants beat his Patriots 27-17. Outside of sports, Bill was an avid outdoorsman who loved hiking throughout New Jersey, fly fishing where one of his favorite excursions was to a former student’s lodge in Montana, and boating on Greenwood Lake on the border of New York and New Jersey. He enjoyed landscape designing and hardscaping in his yard in Ringwood, photographing nature and volunteering as a wildlife art consultant. An avid reader, Bill’s thirst for knowledge was never completely quenched and he especially loved reading anything on the subject of World War II and the Vietnam War. One of his favorite periodicals was Time Magazine. Throughout his years of driving Bill owned some pretty cool cars including a Chevy Impala, Pontiac GTO, Triumph Spitfire, Datsun 240Z, and his beloved and fully decked out Hummer H2.

Back in his college days, Bill was a member of the Skull and Poniard Fraternity. He cherished those years and always maintained close life-long friendships with his fraternity brothers. Later in his life, Bill volunteered as an AA sponsor where he experienced the richness of helping those struggling from addiction by means of offering encouragement, rides and sometimes even job opportunities.

Bill was a smart, charming and witty person. He was a born educator who never let an opportunity to teach go by. His presence will be missed by those whose life he touched in both great and small ways.

Bill is survived by his son Brian Tierney and wife Nicole of Vernon, NJ, his daughter Catherine “Cadi” Tierney and her husband James Fitzgibbon of Atlanta, GA, and his longtime partner Carol Govatos of Pompton Plains. He was predeceased by his parents Michael and Margaret (Comerford) Tierney and his older brother Thomas Patrick Tierney who passed when Bill was just eight years old.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Bill’s name are asked to consider a donation to Loggerhead Marinelife Center, 14200 US Highway One, Juno Beach, FL 33408. To donate online, CLICK HERE.