Plaistow, NH: William J. Mealey, 75, of Portsmouth and formerly of Plaistow, died December 11, 2023, at Concord Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in New York City and raised in the Burrough of Queens, he was the son of the late William P. and Rose E. (Murphy) Mealey. He graduated from Archbishop Malloy High School with the Class of 1966 and went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Manhattan College, his Master's Degree in History from Fordham University and later a Master of Education from Rivier University and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies.

Moving to Plaistow in 1978, Mr. Mealey was employed as a History Teacher, Soccer Coach, and Driver's Education Instructor at Timberlane Regional High School and eventually earned the position of Social Studies Department Chair.  He served as an Assistant Principal from 1988 to 1992, and then Principal from 1992 until 1998. In 1998 he was named Curriculum Director for the Timberlane School District and served in that position until 2003 when he was hired as Superintendent of the Sunapee and Newport NH School District, until his retirement in 2008.

While living in Plaistow, Mr. Mealey served as a trustee of the Plaistow Public Library and in 1980 with the help of his family and some of his students, he established the Mealey's Meals program to help families in need within the Timberlane community for the Christmas Holidays, a program still in existence today.  A sports enthusiast, Bill played tennis, softball, and basketball. He coached high school soccer, baseball, and basketball. He also enjoyed coaching his children's teams whether as an official coach or from the parent sideline. He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox and anything Notre Dame. Bill was a voracious reader, and was happiest when surrounded by his loving family, attending events, activities, and playing games. Bill enjoyed traveling, and most recently took a trip to Ireland for his 75th birthday.

Always devoted to his family and his church, Bill was a member of Saint Anne's Parish of Hampstead, Corpus Christi Parish of Portsmouth, and Saint Patrick's Parish of Goshen. He was active as an instructor in the R.C.I.A. program.

Predeceased in 2009 by his beloved wife, Dianne E. (Protasciewicz) Mealey, he will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by a son and daughter-in-law, Willam P. and Toni Mealey of Northwood, a daughter, Meghan T. Hobbs and her partner Kevin J. Dewhurst of Danvers, MA and a daughter and son-in-law, Katherine R. and Christopher R.J. Wesley of Pikesville, MD, a brother Thomas J. Mealey of Atkinson, five grandchildren, Candi, Rylee, Jackson, Matthew and Benjamin, three great-grandchildren Christopher, Brooke and Blair, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Bill's Life Celebration to be held on Sunday, December 17, 2023, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow, NH. His funeral will begin on Monday morning at 9:15 am from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in Saint Anne's Church, Emerson Avenue, Hampstead, NH. A private family burial service will be held at a later date in Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Newport, NH. In lieu of flowers the family wishes that memorial donations be made to Mealey's Meals, Mealey's Meals Donations Page or send a check to TRHS -Mealey's Meals at 36 Greenough Rd Plaistow, NH 03865.  To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a cherished memory, please visit the Brookside Chapel website.