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Celebrating 22 Years of Service

September 24, 2013

After 22 years of service, Bill Mitchell of Hull, Massachusetts, recently retired from Pyne Keohane Funeral Home.

Bill Mitchell, recently retired from Pyne Keohane

Bill Mitchell

Throughout his time there, he served as a limousine driver, funeral assistant, and greeter. Of course, he went far above and beyond that to serve a truly special role within Keohane, and touched the lives of so many families that he helped through their most difficult times. What Bill did best at work was to make everyone who stepped inside the funeral home door feel welcome. His genuine smile and honest concern for others are things that will be missed at Keohane, but enjoyed even more by the community during his retirement.

He has always had a strong commitment to the community. Bill has lived in Hull his whole life, where he has been very active in volunteer work. He served as a Callman (volunteer fireman) for 25 years, and served on the Parks and Recreation Commission for 24 years.

Upon his retirement, Bill shared his thoughts on his tenure at Keohane:

It has been my good fortune to have worked with a “Class A” funeral home and to serve hundreds of families, some more than once, as a limo driver, pallbearer, and greeter. I felt as if I was a part of your family and conducted myself with pride. I have worked at three 20+-year jobs over the last 66 years, and I can honestly say working for Keohane was the best 22 of them all!

Bill’s passion for his job was impossible to miss. John Keohane, who was just starting out when Bill began working for his father, Ed Keohane, noted that:

Bill has that special touch when it comes to making lifelong friends. He remained close with his high school classmates from Hingham High as well as everyone he met along the way. He has a famous twinkle in his eye that immediately makes you feel welcome and comfortable. My family can’t thank him enough for all that he did for the families we served in Hingham and Hull over the past years. He is one of a kind and a truly special friend to us.

Bill loves spending time with his family, which he will get to do even more of now. He also truly enjoys watching sports, and his upcoming fall weekends will be dedicated to cheering on his favorite college and NFL teams. He has been a beloved member of the community for years, and we expect that in his retirement, he will continue to help people just as much as he did during his time at Keohane.

12 Comments

Scott Burke

09/30/2013 at 5:24 pm

Bill - I am honestly happy that I had the opportunity to work with you in Hingham. You deserve every moment of peaceful retirement and I thank you for what you taught me about dresswork. I tried to show up "dressed" and you did the rest. Rest assured, if you ever attend a funeral I am working, you will never be a "9-C". You will be right up front because you are #1 in my book. Best Wishes, Scott Burke

Amanda (Milligan) Fidalgo

09/30/2013 at 11:40 am

Bill, congratulations on your retirement! You have certainly earned this time to relax and do things for yourself! You have been such a joy to work with over the 9 years I have been here. You were a wealth of knowledge for me as I learned the ropes and my way around Hingham and Hull. I will miss your smile and big hugs, although I am sure Irene will be happy to know you are no longer kissing every woman that comes through the door at Pyne's. Take care and visit often!!

Dick Allen

09/25/2013 at 9:06 am

Bill: Congratulations on your retirement and I'm sure you're looking forward to those afternoon/evenings off. We've enjoyed some wonderful times and interesting conversations over the years and I have missed those. Thanks for all you've done to help all of us and hope you now have the opportunity to do other things you've wanted to do. I will always remember working with you, Sam and Bob and how we enjoyed spending time with each other. Best to you and all the family, Dick

Dennis Keohane

09/23/2013 at 3:30 pm

Bill has been a mentor and a friend for 22 years and counting. He was a main reason why Sarah and I moved to Hull when we were married in 1996. He and Irene welcomed us into the neighborhood and their home as if we were family. I consider myself lucky to know a man like Bill. His warmth, energy and sense of humor always made me excited to get to work. Enjoy your retirement Bill, and don't forget to trim the hedges and play the number.

John Comer

09/22/2013 at 9:00 pm

Bill- I have only worked with you for the past two years but I have enjoyed every moment of it. Its been a pleasure working with a fine gentleman. You were always willing to lend a helping hand and with that I say Thank You!! Enjoy retirement and please do not be a stranger. Best of Luck

Mike Sullivan

09/22/2013 at 9:47 am

Bill, I miss you already! Now that I have to put out my own signs. Everyone in Hingham and Hull are asking for you when they come in. Your a tough act to follow. Bill It's been a pleasure and a learning experience working with you and I wish you and your family the best of health and happiness.

Jack Haines

09/21/2013 at 2:59 pm

Dear Bill, It has been an honor to work with you over the last several years. You are truly a class act. I cannot begin to tell you how many people always ask if Bill Mitchell was working. We have had so many conversations, but I will remember you most by telling me so many times to take left on Duck Lane. Best of luck and continued good health. Jack Haines

Jim Haines

09/21/2013 at 12:15 pm

Hi Bill, congratulations on your retirement. You always had a kind word to say about everyone. It was a pleasure to work with you at Keohane's in Hingham. I hope you enjoy many more years of well deserved time with your family and loved ones. Take care Bill. Jim

Bob Biggins

09/21/2013 at 10:08 am

Bill, Thanks for your years of service. It was always a treat when you would bring the limo to Rockland to assist at Magoun-Biggins. Your smile, warmth and caring demeanor will always be remembered.

Dean Litchfield

09/20/2013 at 9:20 pm

Hi Bill - Enjoy all the afternoons that you havn't had, it's been great knowing and working with you. Please continue to keep all in Hull in line. Thanks for #708, it has been good for me. Best wishes and good health. Dean

Kathy Kane

09/20/2013 at 6:42 pm

Bill, I had the pleasure of working with you over the past 22 years and I can honestly say that in all the time we worked together, two things were certain: you would be early to work and you would always be in a good mood with a big smile on your face. I will certainly miss that! Thank you for all the "Driving Miss Daisy" routines, when I didn't know where I was going. You were the best GPS anyone could ask for. Thank you for the thoughtfulness you showed the families, the kindness you demonstrated to the staff and most of all - thank you for your generous heart you always showed me! I will miss you my friend.

John Keohane

09/20/2013 at 5:52 pm

Bill - It has been our greatest pleasure to work alongside you all these years! You have made an amazing impact on the lives of so many people through your genuine concern for their well being. We have admired your compassion, sense of humor, work ethic and integrity. You have always been part of our family and we thank you for everything you have taught us!

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