William Thomas Mac Sweeney of Somers, NY, passed away peacefully at home on August 13, 2026, at the age of 88.
Most knew him as Billy, Bill, or Mr. Mac. However, his favorite accolade was “Papa Bill.”
Billy was born in NYC to William MacSweeney of Toormore, and Catherine nee Sullivan of Kilcummin, both proud of their son and his Kerry heritage. Billy graduated Mt. St. Michael Academy in 1955. He attended NYU briefly before enlisting in the Navy.
Bill served as Electrician's Mate Third Class/Petty Officer aboard the USS Randolph, US 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean during the Suez Canal Crisis. After 18 months at sea, he returned home to attend Westchester Community College, where he met and graduated alongside his soon-to-be wife, Marie Ann Carr. They were wed in St. Barthalomew’s RC in Yonkers, NY, a marriage of 63+ years. Marie supported Bill as he continued his education in engineering and eventually teaching at SUNY Oswego. Initially, he worked for Hazeltine Electronics and Phillips Laboratories, but he turned down a lucrative offer to pursue his passion for teaching.
Mr. Mac was a fixture in Rye Neck High School for 35 years. He taught industrial arts, aka “shop,” where many students found their niche, but many also found a safe place to “talk shop” about life’s challenges. He quickly found himself in the role of assistant principal and attained the required graduate-level degrees from Hunter College and Bridgeport University. He eventually became the principal and ran a tight ship with the help of Carol Giarlo, and school nurse Helene Fried, and many others. Nonetheless, he still was the same “Mr. Mac,” and made sure to teach a few shop classes before retirement.
Papa Bill rose to that rank after years of being a proud father of four. He built a home in Lake Purdys in 1968 and remained a pillar in the neighborhood for 57+ years. He wasn’t afraid to take the family out for a camping adventure along with extended family members. When time allowed, he and Thor Johannessen did some “overtime” carpentry work throughout Westchester to support the family’s next adventure. He was a devout Catholic and selflessly served as an usher at St. Joseph’s Parish in Croton Falls and eventually Somers until age 86. Most recently, he enjoyed taking his golf cart around the neighborhood to visit many neighbors who also affectionately called him “Papa Bill.”
Bill is survived by his wife Marie; his children: Laura of Newport, RI, Regina (Michael) Burdian of Laguna Nigel, CA, William Q (Nadine) of Somers, NY, and Matthew (Mary Grace) of the Bronx, NY; his grandchildren: Conor, Maeve, and Owen Burdian, and Ella, Zoey, and Lily MacSweeney; his siblings: Maureen Levins, Daniel (Joan) MacSweeney, Kathleen MacSweeney-DeFino, Christina O’Connor; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
The family will be receive friends on Wednesday, August 19, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Clark Associates Funeral Home, 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah, NY.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, August 20, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's RC Church, 95 Plum Brook Road, Somers, NY 10589. Interment will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, 357 Route 202, Somers, NY 10589.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Disabled American Veterans or Tunnel to Towers Foundation .
