William T. Aitchison

1939 - 2024

William T. Aitchison

Bow, NH - William T. Aitchison ("Bill"), 84, of Bow, New Hampshire, passed away on January 13, 2024, surrounded by love. After a long struggle with Parkinson's and aggressive cancer, he died peacefully at home in Bow.

Bill was born in New Rochelle, NY, on October 22, 1939, son of William Thomas Aitchison and Catherine Murtha Aitchison. He grew up in New Rochelle and attended the Stephenson Elementary School and Blessed Sacrament. His best friend of 80 years, Douglas Fleming, lived right around the corner, and they had many adventures together. Bill graduated from New Rochelle High School with honors and was an enthusiastic member of the golf team, as well as the football and wrestling teams.

Upon earning the Reinach Turnesa Caddy Scholarship, Bill attended Iona College, majoring in Economics and playing on the golf team. He was one of the founding members of The Goal Club at Iona and was passionate about Iona Basketball his entire life. In 2012, he received the Donald E. Walsh award for his service to Iona College Athletics through exceptional volunteerism.

In 1960, while a senior at Iona, Bill attended "The Last Chance Dance", where he fatefully met a local nursing student, Ilona "Loni" Barletta of Mount Vernon. They fell in love and married in 1963. They celebrated 60 joyful years of marriage this past September.

Bill served in the Army before attending business school at NYU, receiving his MBA.

He worked at CBS in New York City in the accounting department. Following that, he worked for years at Deutsch, Shay & Evans advertising agency, eventually working his way to VP of Finance. He finished his career as a financial planner with American Express.

Bill and Loni lived in Mamaroneck, New York, for over forty years. They were very involved

with the Saints John & Paul parish in Larchmont. Bill loved playing golf, attending Iona basketball games, and listening to music – his favorites were Pete Seeger, Buddy Holly, The Weavers, Elvis, Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Louis Armstrong, Eva Cassidy, Emmylou Harris, and the Irish Tenors. He loved the book Pride and Prejudice and the original movie, as well as the film The Quiet Man.

Bill truly appreciated his lifelong friendship with Doug Fleming and never got tired of sharing stories about their escapades. His greatest joy came from his grandchildren, and he and Loni moved from New York to New Hampshire in 2014 to be closer to them. They have enjoyed living in NH, and Bill especially appreciated seeing the wildlife in his own backyard. He often fed the chipmunks and squirrels and was always eager to point out the cardinals. He and Loni became members of the Christ the King parish and the Bow Young at Hearts group. Despite his move to NH, Bill remained a devoted Yankees fan.

Bill will forever be remembered for his kind, gentle spirit, his famous Aitchison Family Thanksgiving stuffing recipe, and his beautiful, twinkling blue eyes.

Bill Aitchison is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Ilona Aitchison; a daughter, Colleen A. Madden and her husband Clement, of New Hampshire; grandchildren, Vivian, Herbert, and Clifford Madden; a son, William R. Aitchison of Pennsylvania and his wife Kelly; grandchildren George Aitchison, Tristan Joannou, and Jasimine Ferguson; great-grandchildren Serenity and Naomi. Bill was predeceased by his parents.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Granite Hospice VNA and Jaclyn Anthony for their kind, compassionate care.

Calling hours will be held at Waters Funeral Home, 50 South Main St. Concord, on Thursday, January 18th from 4-6pm. A catholic funeral mass will be celebrated at 10am on Friday, January 19th at Christ the King Parish/St. John's Church, 72 South Main St. Concord.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bill's memory to Granite VNA Hospice or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.