J. William Reardon, 64

ROCK HALL, Md. - J. William Reardon of Rock Hall died Sunday, April 22, 2007, in his home. He was 64.

He was born Jan. 28, 1943, in Brooklyn, N.Y., son of the late Robert and Evelyn (Bueller) Reardon.

Mr. Reardon was a 1960 graduate of Walt Whitman High School in Long Island and a 1964 graduate of Merrimack College in Massachusetts, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in economics. He then entered Officer Candidates School and served during Vietnam in the U.S. Navy. He was honorably discharged after four years of service.

He worked in medical sales of capital equipment for Johnson & Johnson, Siemens Corp., and Burdick Corp., until his retirement.

Mr. Reardon was married to Sharon Burlingame for eight years, and later remarried to Karen Stright O'Farrell in 1985; they lived in Southern California for 20 years. Upon his retirement at age 55, they sold their home, purchased a trawler and traveled for two and a half years. During this time, Mr. Reardon published several articles. Following his sea voyage, he purchased an RV and traveled the West Coast photographing waterfalls with hopes of publishing a book. He then returned to the East Coast in search of a retirement home and discovered Rock Hall, where he and his wife settled.

He was a parishioner of St. John's Catholic Church in Rock Hall. He was an adventurous traveler, avid reader, untiring conversationalist and a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He loved his dogs, walking and being part Irish.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Kellie Whitney and her husband John of Huntington Beach, Calif.; two grandchildren, Michael and Ella Whitney; his stepfather, Vinnie Fitzgerald; a close first cousin, David Reardon; and his brothers and sisters.

Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, at 10 a.m., in St. John's Catholic Church, Main Street, Rock Hall. Relatives and friends may call on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., where memories will be shared at 8. Interment will be in St. John's Catholic Church Cemetery, Rock Hall.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Kent County, P.O. Box 352, Chestertown, MD 21620.

Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, Rock Hall.