William C. Christy

William Christy, 97, a lifelong resident of Manchester, died on May 13. Bill was the first born of Koli and Dhoxey Christy and lived for the first two decades of his life as one of the few Albanian Americans on the West Side of Manchester in what was then known as the "League of Nations" area. He played football at West High and then football and hockey at UNH.

His college years were interrupted by WWII, when he served in the Navy as a Torpedoman 3rd class on the USS Hoefish submarine in the Pacific. After graduation from UNH, he married his college sweetheart, Mary, and joined his father as co-owner of a variety store, Maple Street Center, located on the corner of Hanover and Maple Streets, where he worked for many years. He also served on the Korean Peninsula in the Army Artillery during the Korean Conflict. Bill was a lifelong parishioner at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. An avid birder and wildlife enthusiast, Bill enjoyed all aspects of the Granite State outdoors, including downhill and cross-country skiing in his earlier years.

He was predeceased by his wife, Mary (Kenney), of 68 years and brothers Thomas and Robert. He is survived by his son, John, and daughter-in-law Dawn of Norfolk, Virginia and Chicago, Illinois; three grandchildren, Caroline (Christopher) Habrowski of Park Ridge, Illinois; James Christy of Boston; and Andrew (Taylor) Christy of Park Ridge, Illinois; three great grandchildren, Sophia and Harrison Habrowski and Grace Christy of Park Ridge, Illinois; sister-in-law Rae Catherine Christy of Nottingham; and many nieces and nephews. There will not be a wake. Burial services at the NH Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen will be private.