Gordon Brown McWilliams

MCWILLIAMS, GORDON BROWN 1928-2011 Williamstown - Mr. Gordon B. McWilliams of 138 Bulkley Street, Williamstown, Massachusetts, passed away on March 23, at home, after a long illness. Born in New York City on May 1, 1928, he was the son of Dorothy Brown McWilliams and Norman B. McWilliams, M.D. He was raised in Williamstown, where his father was a well-known surgeon and family physician, as well as the physician for Williams College. He attended Pine Cobble School, Deerfield Academy, Williams College, and Columbia University, from which he received a master's degree in hospital administration. Gordon served his country as a Sergeant First Class U.S. Army in the Korean War and returned to marry Norway native Sigrid Spro in June 1954 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Williamstown. After beginning his career in hospital administration at Jefferson Medical College and Hospital and Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Gordon was named Administrator of Middlesex Memorial Hospital in Middletown, Connecticut, in 1966, and became President and CEO in 1969, a position he held until 1990. During his tenure the hospital earned the trust and respect of the community as a responsive, friendly and innovative institution where personal care of high quality was combined with professional excellence and modern technology. Being aware of the importance of education and anticipating probable shortages of qualified healthcare professionals, Gordon oversaw the restructuring of the Ona M. Wilcox School of Nursing to a free-standing college of nursing. He initiated the Family Practice Residency Program, which became one of the finest in the country, to prepare qualified physicians for the community and profession. He was a Fellow of the American College of Hospital Administrators, served as president of the Connecticut Hospital Association, was a director for Connecticare and Voluntary Hospitals of America, and was a member of Middlesex Visiting Nurse and Home Health Services Association. Gordon's extensive contributions to the Middletown community included United Way president and campaign chair, trustee of the Rockfall Corporation, president of the board of the Middletown YMCA, director of the Liberty Bank for Savings, and director of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. He was an active member of Rotary International and was club president in 1977. He was also a director of the Head of the Connecticut Regatta. In 1985 he was elected American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Regent for Connecticut in recognition of his administrative ability. He was honored with many awards, including The Middlesex County United Way Service Award in 1983, Middlesex County Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 1985, and the T. Stewart Hamilton, M.D., Distinguished Service Award by the Connecticut Hospital Association in 1990. The computer area of the Middlesex Memorial Hospital Library is named the Gordon B. McWilliams Research Center. Gordon and his wife, Sigrid, returned to Williamstown in 1998, where he continued his life of service. He held a number of leadership roles at St. John's Church, including Senior Warden, chair of the Campaign for St. John's, chair of the Building Committee, member of the Finance Committee, and as an usher. He was a member of the board and president of the Village Ambulance Service of Williamstown and was a long-time volunteer fund-raiser for Deerfield Academy and Williams College. A lifelong outdoorsman and athlete, Gordon played on the All-American lacrosse team, was captain of the lacrosse and ski teams at Williams and throughout his life enjoyed hiking, fishing, hunting, riding, boating, and skiing, all with great zeal. He was a member of the Hammonasset Fishing Association in Connecticut for many years. A world traveler, Gordon was happiest at his extended family's camp in the Adirondacks. In addition to his wife, Gordon is survived by four children, Anne Tantalo of Orlando, Florida; Erik McWilliams of Marina del Rey, California; Karen McWilliams of Williamstown; and Lue McWilliams of New York City; and his beloved granddaughter, Sirianna Santacrose of Williamstown. He is also survived by his brother, Norman B. McWilliams, Jr., and his sister-in-law Micheline D. McWilliams, of Concord, New Hampshire, two nephews, and many cherished cousins and friends. All who knew Gordon McWilliams, professionally or personally, agreed with the words written for his retirement celebration describing him as "blessed with personal qualities of sensitivity, fairness, and decency as a caring human being, combined with years of professional experience, leadership ability, and dedication..." FUNERAL NOTICE: Burial will be private. A memorial service will be held later in the spring. Donations in the name of Gordon B. McWilliams may be made to St. John's Church, 35 Park Street, Williamstown, MA 01267 or to the Shingle Shanty Preserve and Research Station, P.O. Box 732, Tupper Lake, NY 12986. The FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS WEST CHAPELS, 521 West Main St. North Adams, MA is in charge of arrangements.