Wallace B. MacDermott

Wallace B. “Wally” MacDermott, 87, of Bedford, NH, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025.

Wally was born on September 4, 1937, in the Bronx, New York City. Orphaned at a young age, he was predeceased by his mother, Catherine Wallace MacDermott, when he was 13, and his father, William Brian MacDermott, at 17. He spent his teenage years in the care of his beloved aunt Mary Coffey, attending North Quincy High School in Massachusetts before returning to New York to study at Bishop Dubois High School.

He left school to enlist in the United States Air Force, serving proudly for four years. During his service, Wally studied Indonesian at Cornell University and worked as a cryptanalyst at Shiroi Air Base in Tokyo, Japan.

In 1966, Wally married Margaret A. MacDermott in NYC. The couple soon moved to Manchester, NH and later Bedford, NH where they raised their family for 23 years together. Although they later divorced, they remained great friends.

Wally began his career as a financial advisor in 1967 with Goodbody & Co. in New York City. In 1969, he relocated to New Hampshire, joining Tucker Anthony in Manchester. In 1980, he founded and managed the Prudential Securities office in Manchester, later finishing his career at Merrill Lynch, retiring in 2018 after over 50 successful years in the industry.

A dedicated member of his community, Wally served as a past president of the Manchester Rotary Club, a board member of New Hampshire Delta Dental and a founding member of both the Bedford Soccer League and the Farnum Center in Manchester. His love of basketball led him to coach the Saint Pius X CYO basketball team.

In 2000, Wally married Alison MacDermott. Together, they built a joyful life in Bedford, enjoying travel, hosting dinner parties, golfing and spending time with friends. Wally was a proud member of the Manchester Country Club for more than 30 years.

Wally was loved by all who knew him. He was a great listener and was curious about everyone he met. He wanted to know your story and all he could about you. He loved nothing more than connecting with his buddies over a beer at local spots and WBM could be seen all around town.

Wally was a lifelong learner despite not formerly finishing high school. He completed the MBA program from the University of New Hampshire in the 1980s and continued auditing courses at Saint Anselm College well into retirement.

Wally is survived by his loving wife, Alison MacDermott; his children, Ian MacDermott and wife Sue of Newburyport, MA, Derek MacDermott and wife Krissy of Nashua, NH and Kimberly MacDermott of Sarasota, FL; his four grandchildren, Liam, Makayla, Riley and Meghan; his stepsons, Sam Keller and wife Erin and their daughter Juniper and Jay Keller and wife Melissa.

Wally will be deeply missed by his family, many friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

SERVICES: There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday (5/6) at 10 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 190 Meetinghouse Rd., Bedford. The burial is private and will be at Bedford Center Cemetery.