William J. "Bill" Moran

William “Bill” Moran passed away peacefully at Beth Israel Hospital in Needham, Massachusetts on December 10, 2025 with his loving wife of 44 years, Joanne Moran, by his side.  He was the third of four siblings, Theresa, Jim, and Frank who predeceased him.  He is survived by his sons Bob and John, three daughters, Laura, Kathy, and Mary, and two step children Christopher and Jennifer.  Together Bill and Joanne shared 15 grandchildren and 2 great-grandsons.  

Born in New York City on December 19, 1930 to John and Honora Moran, who emigrated from Ireland, Bill’s father died when he was very young.  Wanting to be a help to his family, he went to work at five years old shining shoes and turning the stiles at Ebbets field.  He was a very devoted son and would read to his mother the New York Times every evening.  He served as an altar boy into his 30s and sang in the choir at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  He loved music and performed in many Gilbert & Sullivan productions throughout his high school years.

Bill graduated from La Salle Academy in New York and went to nursing school and onto become a nurse anesthetist.  He served as a nurse in the US Army stateside during the Korean War.  After his service, he attended Manhattan College for pre-med and graduated in three years.  From there, he earned his medical degree at SUNY Downstate, where he was a member of AOA, the honor society at medical school.  

After graduating medical school, Bill moved with his family to Boston to complete his internship and residency in psychiatry at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brighton, MA.  Bill practiced at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for 5o years as a staff psychiatrist.  During his long career at St. Elizabeth’s, Bill was instrumental in the use of the treatment modality of electroconvulsive therapy and later becoming the Director of the program.  Bill also served as a clinical instructor for Tufts Medical School, where he mentored medical students placed at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.  Being a doctor was a gift he cherished and he worked at St. Elizabeth’s until he was 80 years old.  

Bill and Joanne had a long and happy marriage of 43 years.  During that time, they travelled to Europe many times, including the birthplaces of his mother and father in Ballybunion and Moyvane, Ireland.  One of Bill’s favorite places to travel was Italy, where they explored many different regions of the country.  Most memorable of these adventures was time spent with Joanne’s brother John and his wife Karen in the Tuscan region, staying at villas, cooking and eating locally.  Joanne and Bill enjoyed many years in Harwich, where they welcomed family and friends to enjoy the beach and do some birdwatching off the deck, Bill’s favorite pastime.

His devotion to his Catholic faith was a bedrock of his life and he reminded us that God loves us all equally.  He prayed for each of us daily and always asked for our prayers for him.  We send him our prayers as he reunites with the Holy Father he loved so much.

A Mass celebrating Bill’s life will be held at 10AM on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at the Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, 28 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, followed by private interment at Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Needham, MA.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bill’s name to https://www.spellersfreedomfoundation.org/

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