William Darmody, Skilled Bridge Player, Barbershop Chorus Founder

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ — William P. Darmody, an Air Force veteran, barbershop quartet singer and a skilled bridge player who taught others the game, died Friday, April 27, 2018 at his home in Freehold Township. He was 88.

He was born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens and was a 1947 graduate of Xavier High School in Manhattan where in addition to his studies, he served as battalion commander. Bill graduated from Fordham University in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree and years later earned his master’s degree in administration from George Washington University.

While at Fordham, Bill enrolled in ROTC and following graduation he received an officer’s commission in the United States Air Force, and served in a number of places, including New York, Japan, Alabama, Nebraska, Guam, and Virginia. He retired after 20 years of military service with the rank of major. Bill then moved to Freehold Township, because of the several summers in his youth he spent at his aunt’s farm. He worked for American Express in Manhattan, at Solomon Brothers, Bankers Trust, and CIT.

Bill was a skilled bridge player who played in several leagues throughout his life. He took great pride and enjoyment in introducing others to the game at the “Bridge with Bill” sessions he held at Applewood for many years.

Bill was a long-time parishioner at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine in Freehold, where he had been an active participant in the parish choir since the choir’s inception. Bill’s love of singing led him to help form the Monmouth Battlefield Barbershop Chorus in Freehold.

He was predeceased by his parents, William and Agnes (nee McClernon) Darmody; his wife of 50 years, Jane Darmody (nee Winter); his sister, Eileen McGowan; and a grandson, Riley. Bill is survived by his brother, Jerry Darmody and his wife, Diane, of Fernandina Beach, FL; four sons, Kevin Darmody and his wife, Denise of Chesterfield, NJ; Timothy Darmody of Pasadena, CA; Christopher Darmody of Watertown, MA, and Jimmy Darmody and his wife, Julie of Encino, CA; nine grandchildren, Kellen Darmody, Brendan Darmody, Liam Darmody, Aden Darmody, George Darmody, Grace Darmody, Devin Darmody, Finn Darmody, and Molly Darmody; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold, NJ on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 10 a.m. funeral Mass on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road in Freehold. Interment will follow at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery in Freehold.

In lieu of flowers, Bill requested that donations be made to Xavier High School, Office of Advancement, 30 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011 and would be appreciated. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.

William P. Darmody photo provided by Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home