In Memory: William E. Ganley, Age 87
William Evan Ganley, of Longboat Key, FL and Rye, NY, passed away peacefully at Regional Hospice in Danbury, CT on October 3, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was 87 years old. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Lucetta (MacDonald) to whom he enjoyed a long and happy marriage of 53 years.
Bill, as he was known, was born in Newton, MA to John F. Ganley and Anna (Jenkins). He was the youngest of 5 children and was the treasured little brother to three older sisters who helped raise him. After attending Boston University, he proudly served time in Korea as a member of the Armed Forces radio. He returned to Boston and left the DJ booth behind and began his career in advertising at WRKO radio before turning to the rapidly growing cable television broadcast industry. Bill met his wife, Lu, in Boston and that is where they were married in a snowstorm on December 27, 1969. Bill started working for Turner Broadcasting where he was promoted to positions first in Chicago and then in New York City. Bill’s charm and natural story-telling skills proved valuable as he moved his way up the corporate ladder to President of Advertising Sales for TBS. He learned much from his business mentor, Ted Turner, and Bill branched out on his own and purchased and operated cable television systems in upstate New York which he managed for decades. After selling his company, he continued to be a cable television consultant and a broker of cable system sales in his retirement.
Residents of Rye since 1980, Bill and Lu were active members of the Rye Presbyterian Church and the Manursing Island Club. Bill loved being physically active and enjoyed playing pickup basketball and met many of his closest friends on the racquetball court at the Rye YMCA, where he played competitively into his 70’s. Bill traveled extensively, often with his crew of buddies from the Y who would visit such places as Egypt, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Morocco, Spain, Portugal and they returned to Israel numerous times. When not traveling abroad, Bill and Lu enjoyed their retirement in Longboat Key, Florida, and summers in Little Pond, Prince Edward Island (PEI).
Bill is survived by his two children, Douglas (Wendy) of New York City and Amiee (Bill) Munro of Wellesley, MA. He is survived by his five cherished grandchildren, Mac, JD & Cooper Munro and Aden & Brodie Ganley. Bill and Lu spent many happy summers at their cottage in Lu’s native PEI and he leaves behind a large extended family there who has always treated him as one of their own. He was predeceased by his older brother Fred, and sisters, Nancy Chandler, Priscilla Watson and Jean Ganley. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Dunstan (Eleanor) MacDonald and by numerous nieces and nephews on both sides of the family.
A service to commemorate Bill’s life will take place at Graham Funeral Home located at 1036 Boston Post Road in Rye, on Friday October 18, 2024, beginning at 1pm with a visitation with the family and a service starting at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rye YMCA or the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund.
