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1928
2020
William 'Bill' Abbey Ince
With heavy hearts we acknowledge the passing of William "Bill" Abbey Ince on December 20, 2020 after a short illness.
Bill resided in Sarasota, Florida and spent his summers on Staten Island, New York, with Monika, his wife of almost 58 years. Born in Brooklyn, New York to Eric and Mary Ince, Bill attended Regis High School, St. John's University for his undergraduate degree and Columbia University for a master's degree. After a stint in advertising for the Arthur Godfrey show, a friend suggested that Bill explore teaching, which he did. Teaching suited Bill well. He eventually became the head of the English Department at Stuyvesant High School, where he attended to students from the far corners of the world, offering them windows into the great books across many traditions. Along the way, Bill started an annual New York City high school poetry event. In his latter years he ventured out to those far corners of the earth with Monika in their travels.
In addition to Monika, he leaves behind his daughter Deirdre Modesti (Claudius), his son Christopher Ince (Lina), three grandchildren and three nieces and nephews from his sister Julie McGuiness, who predeceased him.
In the deserts of the heart
Let the healing fountain start,
In the prison of his days
Teach the free man how to praise.
W.H. Auden, "In Memory of W.B. Yeats."
A memorial service will be announced at a future date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Your Traditions Cremation and Funeral Chapel.
I just found this obituary. "Mr. Ince," as I called him, was my English teacher at Stuyvesant. He introduced me to existentialism, The New Yorker, Walker Percy, and most significantly, T.S. Eliot. I am now a published poet and essayist myself, teaching college students literature and writing. I always have and will continue to remember him as a passionate yet kind teacher who was instrumental in introducing me to the magnitude and the pleasures of great literature--and who unknowingly helped me find my true path, where ("every word is at home, / taking it's place to support the others . . . the complete consort dancing together) Every phrase and every sentence is and end and a beginning" (T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding" from "Four Quartets").
Christine Casson
School
August 21, 2023
Among the fond memories was Bill coming in to class on St Patricks say with a plastic leprechaun hat. He then would tip the hat revealing a hand knitted green yarmulka made for him by a mother of a Jewish student.
John S Morawetz
School
February 3, 2022
Mr Ince catapulted many young minds into lifelong engagement with language and thought. I was lucky to be among them at Stuyvesant.
Ince told us he hoped to be known as a "minor poet" in the English language. I hope that he died knowing (as these testominals attest) that he acheived something far greater.
Dov Jacobson
January 28, 2022
I had Mr.Ince as an English teacher at Stuyvesant.
He had a charisma and charm that I still remember!
That was back in 1966!
He was a good teacher!
ALAN Deaton
School
October 24, 2021
I have fond memories of AP English at Stuy with Mr. Ince, who joked that I would become a rich Park Ave. doctor and grinned as I walked by him on the graduation stage. I always wanted to thank him for being such an inspiring teacher. Rest in peace, Mr. Ince, and thank you for all that you did.
Frank Lio
Student
May 28, 2021
Bill Ince was my homeroom teacher for 3 years at Stuyvesant H S. I also took several semesters of his various english classes. He will always be one of my favorite teachers. Wish I could have visited with him before his death. Bill Yarrow Stuyvesant class of "66.
Bill Yarrow
Student
February 16, 2021
Mr. Ince shared a love of poetry with us. His mimeographed sheets were curated with care. Our discussions opened understanding and a love for verse alive still today. He also threw us into the deep water of Tolstoy. Ever grateful. A public servant who shaped whole lives. Long live Ince.
Barry Moldover ‘65
Student
January 27, 2021
Elizabeth & Wray Fitch
January 23, 2021
Mr. Ince was among the Top Five Influential teachers in my life. He instilled in me a lifelong interest in Russian literature and was a giant in Stuyvesant HS's vaunted English Department. May his memory be eternal.
Aaron Grossman
Class of 69
Aaron Grossman
Student
January 11, 2021
60 years ago as a young freshman at Curtis High School on Staten Island, it was my first English teacher Bill Ince who inspired me to experience different employment and living situations in order to appreciate what others do for a living as well as to identify and follow my trajectory in life. That advice has served me well. Two months ago as I awoke one Sunday morning, I thought of him and contacted him at his home in Florida. We had lengthy discussions over a period of a few weeks exchanging views on a variety of subjects and sharing information regarding our lives over the past six decades.
I mourn his passing, his counseling, his wry sense of humor and our animated conversations. R.I.P.
Richard Bock
Student
January 10, 2021
Just learning of this now and am so sorry for your loss. Bill Ince taught me AP English at Stuy and, as an English geek studying at a math & science high school, I really appreciated his class and all the literature we explored. We had a great time in his class, with lively discussion led by a great teacher. I’ll always remember him fondly.
Leia Cadogan Welch, Stuy ‘87
Student
January 10, 2021
I was a student of Bill Ince's at Stuyvesant HS. He was a great mentor and inspired me to read compelling books that opened new vistas to me.
Like all great teachers, I remember him with fondness and gratitude.
Jeffrey kalman
Student
January 9, 2021
robert liang
January 8, 2021
My dear uncle. I have so many cherished memories. He and my Mom, his sister Julie are now together in God’s Love.
Trisha McGuinness
Family
January 5, 2021
On behalf of the Stuyvesant High School class of 1982, we offer our collective condolences. Mr. Ince was a much loved mentor and teacher to many and his loss touches us all.
Brad Marcus
Student
January 4, 2021
Theses memories from all of you about our dad are bringing us so much joy - Thank you!
Deirdre and Chris
deirdre modesti
Daughter
January 3, 2021
I was a student at Stuy '82 who had no interest or ability for math and science. Mr. Ince let me double up on English classes and I am so grateful. I enjoyed his AP class that he let me take even though I told him I wouldn't take the AP. He was proud of me when I was the only student who knew what the battle of the Midway was. A great teacher lives forever in our memories.
Moira Dolan
Student
January 3, 2021
I had a full senior year of Mr. Ince’s Existentialism Through Literature class, which I thought of as “Wild Bill Ince’s Institute of Philosophy and Academic Finishing School.” I learned, and was introduced to, so much there.
When I think back to the few classes that really changed my perspective on the world and brought me to a new place, Mr. Ince’s was the first.
Rest In Peace, my teacher.
Mark Nazimova
Student
January 3, 2021
Rest well Mr. Ince. You were an excellent teacher, and much appreciated by the future English majors.
D. Silverstein
Student
January 3, 2021
So sorry to hear of Mr. Ince’s passing: I remember him fondly from my time at Stuyvesant.
January 3, 2021
Mr. Ince was one of my favorite teachers at Stuyvesant. I took his class on existentialism in my senior year, 1970-71, and it completely changed how I saw the world. Mr. Ince treated us like adults who were on a sophisticated intellectual journey to discover fundamental truths about what it means to be a human being. The lessons I learned from that one class have stayed with me my whole life. I regret that I never took the opportunity to tell him how much his class meant to me. I am so grateful I had the chance to learn from him and with him. My condolences to his family. May his memory be a blessing. Ira Belkin, Stuyvesant H.S. Class of ‘71. [email protected]
Ira Belkin
Student
January 3, 2021
Since receiving the news of Nr. Ince’s passing his students from 50 years ago have been sharing memories including the books he assigned that are still in our libraries. His impact on thousands of his students is immeasurable. I still try to lead my life in accord with his teaching: Choice not chance. May his memory continue to be a source of blessing for all who knew him.
Rabbi Matt Futterman
Student
January 3, 2021
Rabbi Matt Futterman
Student
January 3, 2021
Mr. Ince was the most important teacher of my high school years (1970-1972). I tried to live by the motto he taught me: “Choice not chance”. May his memory continue to be a blessing for all who knew him.
Rabbi Matt Futterman
Student
January 3, 2021
I would like to add a comment my son Stephen sent to me about “Mr. Ince”.
I felt like a college student in his class...like I was respected as an adult while learning.
He had a gift!! Marie Savage.
Marie Savage
Student
January 3, 2021
Monika, I just notified my children of Bill’s passing. My son’s comment was “sad... one of my favorite classes”!
Marie Savage.
Marie Savage
Acquaintance
January 3, 2021
Bill was a kind loving gentleman. In addition to my knowing him on Staten my children Cathy and Stephen attended Stuyvesant High School and we’re privileged to know him there. Many a time I called on him for advice.
I was glad to have known him!
Marie Savage.
Marie Savage
Acquaintance
January 3, 2021
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