William Dempster Fash

On Tuesday, April 2,  2024, William D. Fash, a cherished brother, father, grandfather, and friend passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. He was 95 years old.

Bill was born on June 20, 1928 to Margaret and Charles Fash in West New York, New Jersey and grew up in Ridgefield Park.  He attended Ridgefield Park High School where he was class President and Captain of the basketball team which won the State Championship in 1946.   He continued his basketball career on a scholarship to Syracuse University where he lettered for three years.  He  majored in English, receiving his degree in 1950.   After serving his country in Germany,  Bill married his high school sweetheart Dorothy “Dot” (Econome) Fash on July 18, 1953 and remained happily married until her passing in 2002.  He began his career with the Lynn Insurance Group in their New Jersey regional office in the late 1960’s.   His advancement in the company brought his family to Kansas City and later to the corporate headquarters in Boca Raton where he retired as the Executive Vice President in 1992.

In retirement, he continued his active lifestyle playing tennis, where he competed at the state level.  As a volunteer for the Lynn University Basketball program, he indulged in his true passion of coaching basketball. Bill served as a volunteer assistant coach, traveling with the team, attending practices, mentoring young players, and co-founding the Lynn University Blue and White Club.  He earned the Lynn University Distinguished Service Award in 2005.  Although he played golf, it was never really his favorite.  Later his interests included carpentry, butterfly gardening, and he was always up for playing a fierce game of dominos.

Bill is survived by his three children and seven grandchildren;  daughter Jackie Geswell (husband Rick) and their two sons Matt Geswell (wife Sarah) and Ryan Geswell (wife Laura), son Bill (wife Laura) and their two children Billy Fash (wife Katharine), and Jamie Fash (fiancé Kyle Sahisten), and son Doug Fash (wife Mary) and their three children Aubrey, Connor and Reece.  He is also  survived by a sister, Margaret Smith.

There will be a private family internment on April 20th at the Boca Mausoleum. A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, April 21st, from 2-4 pm at the Royal Palm Golf Clubhouse, 199 Royal Palm Way, Boca Raton, FL  33432. All our welcome, and please come in casual attire. The celebration of life will be located on the second floor of the clubhouse.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Best Foot Forward Foundation, 9080 Kimberly Blvd.,  #10, Boca Raton, Florida, 33434.

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