Dr. William F Wolfe

Bill passed away at home due to pancreatic cancer under the loving care of his wife Rose and VNA-Hospice of Southern Vermont.

Pre-deceased by Parents, William F Wolfe Sr. and Mary Lee Wolfe, twin brothers, John and Donald Wolfe, and best friend from college Dan Kehoe.

Survived by Rose, his wife of 52 years, Sons Brian (Jennifer) Wisconsin, Laurence E. Berne NY, Patrick of Schenectady NY, daughter Lorri Sexton of Arizona, brother Douglas (Margaret) of North Carolina.  Michael Pichette of Virginia - whom Bill referred to as his 4th son, Jim Kane, Best friend since 1st grade, Wayne, NJ, Kyle (Kathy Fitzgerald) of OHIO, Briana Fitzgerald of Tennessee.  Good friend David Hollister of Bennington.

Also survived by grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, many friends.

Bill was born on July 26, 1932 and raised on Staten Island, NY .He attended St. Peter’s Boys High School run by LaSalle Brothers.  During his HS years, he was fortunate enough to have played on award winning Baseball and Basketball teams for the City of New York.

After graduating from HS, Bill served as a Merchant Marine for 2 years (February 1951-1953) on oil tankers for the ESSO Company followed by serving in the US Army from 1953-1955.  Bill was stationed in Berlin Germany where he served in the Regimental 6th Honor Guard.

Upon completing his service with the US Army, Bill attended Fordham University in NYC and Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa where he received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree (DC) in 1960.

Bill practiced Chiropractic in Albany NY from 1960 – 1976.  In August of 1976, Bill and Rose moved to Bennington VT where he practiced from 1976 – until retiring in 2001.  After retiring, both Bill and Rose worked at Hanson & Walbridge Funeral Home, Bennington.

Bill enjoyed playing basketball and in the 1950’s played on the famous Tompkinsville Blue Jays basketball team winning 67 of 74 games in one season and winning the Championship game which was played in Madison Square Garden.

Bill, along with Rose, spent many days golfing and played on courses throughout the country.  He had been a member, along with his wife Rose, at the Mount Anthony Country Club in Bennington VT and Dutchaven Golf Club in Buskirk NY.  Bill was a member of the Caddyshack Golf League at Saratoga Lake Golf Course.  In addition, he played in the annual BC M & M Invitational each August playing at Waubeeka Golf Links in Williamstown, MA.

Bill was an avid reader, artist, loved cross country skiing and snowshoeing. He was also a runner and participated in the Vermont Senior Olympics winning 1 gold and 2 bronze medals.   Bill was a member of the Albany Curling Club where for many years he was a Skip on the Monday evening league.

For over 40 years Bill was a member of the Bennington Lions Club

One of Bill’s favorite hobbies was woodworking and building furniture – pieces of which he has in his home.  Because of his love of woodworking, Bill’s preference was to have a wooden casket built by his good friend David Hollister.

Bill and Rose enjoyed many years vacationing on Anna Maria Island, Florida.

The family thank the many VNA-Hospice Nurses, Physical therapists and LNA aides for their wonderful care, the Vermont Veteran’s Home staff, Carol Comar-Frost, NP at the Bennington VA Clinic, Carol Salazar MD and, Niles Callanan who was so patient and professional in the handling of Bill when transporting him to and from medical appointments.

Rose thanks Dr. Erik Niemi, Dr. Michael Algus, Dr. Mitchell Carl, of Bennington, Dr. Jennifer Lonaci and Dr.Bawan Bhatnagar of VA Hospital in Albany for care provided this past year.

Bill was of Irish Decent and extremely proud of it. (His paternal Grandfather came from Skibbereen, County Cork, IRELAND). He and son Patrick spent time in Ireland and Bill was hoping to return again one day.  Plans were in place for Bill and Rose to visit Ireland in 2020 but the trip was cancelled due to the pandemic.

YES!  Bills favorite song is “40 Shades of Green” by Johnny Cash.

Agus go mbuailfimid le chéile arís, Go gcoinní Dia i mbos a láimhe thú GAELIC …  “and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand!”

Suggested donations to:  Tunnels to Towers Homeless Veterans Program, The Vermont Special Olympics, or a charity of one’s choice.

A funeral Mass will take place at St John the Baptist Catholic Church in North Bennington VT on Saturday May 11, 2024 at 11am where Bill was a communicant and a retired Eucharistic Minister.

Burial will follow at St. John the Baptist Cemetery in North Bennington, VT.