Obituary for William A. "Bill" Reoch
WELLS - William A. Reoch died peacefully on July 19, 2019, at Gosnell Memorial
Hospice House in Scarborough after a six year journey with dementia. He was 89 years
old.
Bill was born in Newark, NJ on October 15, 1929 to Ella Jenking Reoch and Alexander
Reoch. At the time of his death, he resided in Wells, ME. The Reoch family spent
summers in Kennebunkport on Pearl Street starting in the 1920’s. In 1965, Bill and his
wife, Gert, purchased their own property along the Kennebunk River. He moved his
family there year-round in 1981 and lived in the home until 2015. Other residences
included Andover, MA; Charlotte, NC; Beaufort, SC; and most recently, Vero Beach, FL.
Bill was a graduate of Vermont Academy Class of 1947. He attended Brown University
and was a graduate of the University of Miami in FL. Bill served in the U.S. Army as a
First Lieutenant. He spent time in Japan during the Korean War.
Bill’s interests included listening to jazz, sailing off the coast of Maine with AYC friends,
playing golf at Webhannet, playing tennis, Nordic and alpine skiing with family & friends
in Jackson, NH, his dogs, swimming in the ocean, traveling, flying his plane, and seeing
live music.
Later in life, his interests expanded to oil painting, volunteering, and walking 5K races.
He volunteered for Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County. In 2012, Bill
placed 3rd in his age group (80-99) at the Portland Sea Dog’s Mother’s Day 5K race.
Bill’s sense of humor was dry & witty, and sometimes came when you least expected it.
It was still evident during his last days. In the early stages of his dementia, when a 90
foot pine tree fell on his daughter’s car during dinner, he said, “You might want to call
AAA.” While in the hospital in July his doctor questioned, “He has an interesting sense
of humor, doesn’t he?” Please fondly remember funny moments or stories with Bill and
share them with family or friends.
Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Gertrude R. Reoch; son, Scott Reoch of
Westbrook, and daughter, Ginger Reoch of Gorham; grandchildren, Owen Reoch, and
Genevieve Reoch of Bloomfield, NJ; nephews, Bill Reoch, John Reoch, Steve Reoch,
Mark Reoch, and Joseph Youmans. He was predeceased by his parents; sister,
Margaret Youmans; and brother, Jack Reoch.
Relatives and friends are invited to a time of visitation from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday,
July 23, 2019, at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk. Private
family ceremonies will be held at Arundel Cemetery and off the coast of Kennebunkport.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association - Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One, Suite 2C , Scarborough, ME 04074.
Hospice House in Scarborough after a six year journey with dementia. He was 89 years
old.
Bill was born in Newark, NJ on October 15, 1929 to Ella Jenking Reoch and Alexander
Reoch. At the time of his death, he resided in Wells, ME. The Reoch family spent
summers in Kennebunkport on Pearl Street starting in the 1920’s. In 1965, Bill and his
wife, Gert, purchased their own property along the Kennebunk River. He moved his
family there year-round in 1981 and lived in the home until 2015. Other residences
included Andover, MA; Charlotte, NC; Beaufort, SC; and most recently, Vero Beach, FL.
Bill was a graduate of Vermont Academy Class of 1947. He attended Brown University
and was a graduate of the University of Miami in FL. Bill served in the U.S. Army as a
First Lieutenant. He spent time in Japan during the Korean War.
Bill’s interests included listening to jazz, sailing off the coast of Maine with AYC friends,
playing golf at Webhannet, playing tennis, Nordic and alpine skiing with family & friends
in Jackson, NH, his dogs, swimming in the ocean, traveling, flying his plane, and seeing
live music.
Later in life, his interests expanded to oil painting, volunteering, and walking 5K races.
He volunteered for Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County. In 2012, Bill
placed 3rd in his age group (80-99) at the Portland Sea Dog’s Mother’s Day 5K race.
Bill’s sense of humor was dry & witty, and sometimes came when you least expected it.
It was still evident during his last days. In the early stages of his dementia, when a 90
foot pine tree fell on his daughter’s car during dinner, he said, “You might want to call
AAA.” While in the hospital in July his doctor questioned, “He has an interesting sense
of humor, doesn’t he?” Please fondly remember funny moments or stories with Bill and
share them with family or friends.
Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Gertrude R. Reoch; son, Scott Reoch of
Westbrook, and daughter, Ginger Reoch of Gorham; grandchildren, Owen Reoch, and
Genevieve Reoch of Bloomfield, NJ; nephews, Bill Reoch, John Reoch, Steve Reoch,
Mark Reoch, and Joseph Youmans. He was predeceased by his parents; sister,
Margaret Youmans; and brother, Jack Reoch.
Relatives and friends are invited to a time of visitation from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday,
July 23, 2019, at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk. Private
family ceremonies will be held at Arundel Cemetery and off the coast of Kennebunkport.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association - Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One, Suite 2C , Scarborough, ME 04074.