William “Bill” A. Koskinen Jr.

William Adolph Koskinen Jr. was born on March 23, 1931 to William Sr. and Helen. He grew up in South Philadelphia with his brother John. Bill went to Bok vocational school but did not graduate from high school. His father passed away at the age of 40, leaving Helen with Bill age 20 and John age 11. Bill met Mary Haigh who lived in the same neighborhood and they fell in love. Bill wanted to marry Mary but her parents would not allow it because Bill was not a catholic. Mary’s family was heavily involved in the Catholic Church and Mary was the senior class president her last year at West Catholic High School. Bill went into the army during the Korean War. He served his tour of duty in Alaska and it was there that Bill became a catholic. Bill and Mary were married in 1954.

After Bill finished his time in the army he came back to Philadelphia and they started a family. After working in a gas station fixing cars Bill got a job as a machinist at Sorensen’s Industries in Darby Pa, and they moved to Collingdale. Sons, Billy, George, and Jim were born and then a daughter Maureen. Maureen was the first female born into the Koskinen family in many years so she was nicknamed Sis. In 1966 the family moved to Lansdowne, where David and Helen were born. Bill was involved with the Lansdowne Boys Club helping to coach baseball and served as an officer in the LBC father’s bowling league. Bill was also very involved in The American Legion and became a lifetime member of the Sharon Hill Post #193.

Bill was very involved with his children and was at many of their sporting events.

When Sorensen’s Industries closed Bill worked in the maintenance/custodial field at Villanova University, and then got a job working on the machines at the Swell Bubble Gum factory in Havertown Pa. He retired from Swell.

Bill and Mary sold their house in Lansdowne in 2002 and moved to Villas NJ. Bill loved working outside. He had keys to most of the neighbor’s houses and would check on the houses, return trash cans, and help with little tasks. He loved taking one of the neighbors dogs, Max, for walks. He enjoyed going outside and picking up the sticks and branches that would fall from the many trees. Even when he needed the help of a walker, Bill would use his “grabber” to pick up the sticks and place them in a container that he would put on the walker.

He enjoyed playing cards, doing jigsaw puzzles, (edge pieces first) spending time with his family, and watching the boats at the Cape May Ferry station.

He ate 2 Entemann’s crumb topped donuts everyday for breakfast. His grandkids affectionately named them “PopPop donuts” He also enjoyed snapper soup, crab cakes, crab imperial, and Franco American spaghettios. He would finish many of his evenings with vanilla ice cream.

A proud Army veteran Bill could always be seen wearing an Army hat and having the American flag hanging from the house and in the corner of the yard!

Bill was blessed with 6 children, 11 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren

Bill lived by the motto “one day at a time”. He would often say “I’ll worry about tomorrow when tomorrow gets here”

Bill had a wonderful smile and was a very polite and appreciative man thanking everyone who helped him along the way! What a great role model!

Bill’s family thanks all of the medical professionals who helped Bill over the years. Especially Dr. John Sprandio, Jo Ann Flounders CRNP and the entire staff at CMOH (he love bringing you soft pretzels)

The Southeastern Veterans Center in Spring City Pa. For your excellent care and compassion with Bill and making him feel at home there!