William Deignan Dehler

William Deignan Dehler, 80 William Deignan Dehler entered the Kingdom of Heaven on June 2, 2023. William was born to the late John and Claire Dehler on December 10, 1942, and grew up in Richmond Hill, NY, as the youngest of five children. He graduated from Brooklyn Prep and St. John’s University where he also earned his MBA. William met his bonnie bride, Kathleen, as a teenager in Breezy Point, NY. They soon married and went on to grow a beautiful family with seven children and fifteen grandchildren. William and Kathleen embraced life together in Brooklyn, NY, Lynbrook, NY, and Westport, CT, only to return full circle to where they fell in love when they retired in Breezy Point. William loved the Brooklyn Dodgers, sunsets, playing golf, fishing, cooking for family and friends, and most of all coaching his children in baseball and softball. As their #1 fan, he was a fixture on the sidelines of his kids’ countless games, meets, and recitals. If not at an organized sporting event, he was organizing family ski trips, sledding sessions, and football games in the yard with hot dogs over the fire pit before fire pits were even a thing. He proudly told everyone that he raised seven children, and that made him the richest man alive. William’s roots run deep in Breezy Point. As a teenager, he collected the 10 cent toll on the Marine Parkway Bridge, and he was a lifeguard who once rescued his future mother in law. Nicknamed “Crazy Legs” on the softball field, he held, for almost 25 years, the long standing Breezy Point softball record for the highest batting average over 600. William also loved being a member of the Catholic Club and was proud of receiving honors as Sir Knight William, Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus. William was a good man loved by many. He was a thoughtful listener, and he allowed people to make mistakes without judgment. He was the most generous man with what mattered, his heart and time, and he made everyone feel important. William is survived by his wife of 59 years, Kathleen, and seven grateful children: Nora Stuart (Matt) of Lexington, SC; William Dehler, Jr. (Ingrid) of Fairfield, CT; John Dehler (Brett) of Fairfield, CT; Andrew Dehler (Tracey) of Westport, CT; Kate Stewart (Mark) of Simsbury, CT; Elizabeth Morrall (Mitch) of Davie, FL; and Matthew Dehler of Santa Barbara, CA. William is blessed with fifteen adoring grandchildren: Matthew, Claire, Sarah Kate, Riley, Charlie, Harry, Beau, Jack, Elizabeth, Grace, Mary Kate, Ella, William, Regan, and Annabell. He is survived by his two brothers, John Dehler of Coronado, CA; Martin Dehler of Garden City, NY; his sister, Patricia Igoe of Great Barrington, MA; and many nieces and nephews. William is predeceased by his parents, John and Claire Dehler, and his sister, Claire Ann Kinney. We offer our profound gratitude to the most compassionate and skilled staff at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx. In his honor, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Hospital through www.calvaryhospital.org so that they may continue the incredible mission of palliative care. Contributions will go toward a plaque on the Tree of Life in William’s name. Friends and family are invited to the Celebration of Life on June 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Thomas More Church, 204-25 Rockaway Point Boulevard, Breezy Point, NY. Reception to follow across the street at The Breezy Point Catholic Club. Willie attire welcomed: pinks, yellows, plaids.

William Deignan Dehler

December 10, 1942 - June 2, 2023