William H. (Bill) Mabey Jr, 78, of Merrimac, beloved husband of Patricia A. (Cody) Mabey, passed away peacefully on August 25 in Haverhill.
Born in Beverly, he was the son of the late William H. Mabey Sr. and Alice T. (Collins). He was raised and spent several years working in Portsmouth, N.H. Mabey served in the United States Marine Corps from 1958 until being honorably discharged in 1968.
Mabey was a well-known successful, hard-working businessman in Haverhill and was very active in the community. For many years he owned and operated Bill’s Exxon in Monument Square as well as Mabey’s Liquors at the Riverside Plaza. Even after his retirement he was very active, most recently delivering parts for a local car dealership.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Along with spending time with family and friends, Mabey also enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, fishing, golfing, camping at Salisbury State Reservation, and traveling across country. He also loved his garden, especially growing his tomatoes.
He leaves his wife of 23 years Patricia A. (Cody) Mabey, of Merrimac, a son William H. Mabey III and his wife, Cynthia, of Tampa, Fla., two daughters Cheryl M. Cleary and her husband Atty. John G. Cleary, of Groveland, and Susan M. Heroux and her husband Pierre, of Burlington, Vt., stepchildren Kathleen M. Silveira, of Methuen, Michael D. Clohisy and his wife, Rachel, of West Newbury and Catherine M. MacDonald and her husband, Scott, of Discovery Bay, Calif. He also leaves 17 grandchildren William H. Mabey IV, Jeffrey M. Mabey, John B. Cleary, James W. Cleary, Peter S. Cleary, Melina Heroux, Eve L. Heroux, Pierre Jean-Claude Heroux, Sean M. Clohisy, Jack E. Clohisy, George D. Clohisy, Joseph M. Silveira, Richard K. Silveira, Samantha K. Silveira, Makayla S. MacDonald, Marykate E. MacDonald, and Scott M. MacDonald, great-grandchildren Avery, Liam and Julianna, sisters Nancy Gobbi and her husband, Joseph, of Portsmouth, N.H., and Betty Jean Eaton and her husband Roger, of East Berwick, Maine. He was predeceased by his sister, Carolyn “Cookie” Watson, and stepson Kevin Clohisy.
Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Wednesday from 4-6:30 p.m. There will be a funeral service following from 6:30-7 p.m. that all are welcome to attend at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the www.woundedwarriorproject.org.