William H. Ormsby

1948 - 2017

William Henry Ormsby of Lakeland Florida, formerly from Eastham MA, passed away peacefully December 9th at the James Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa Florida He was the son of the late Ralph and Dorothy Ormsby who were longtime residents of Eastham MA and Englewood FL and the brother of the late Sandra Ormsby Howerton. Mr. Ormsby passed the way he lived, surrounded by his family. Born on Oct 17, 1948, Mr Ormsby lived much of his early life on Cape Cod, graduating from Nauset High School in 1967. He enlisted in the Army and served with distinction in Vietnam. Upon his return, Mr Ormsby settled into life on Cape Cod, working at a variety of different occupations. Perhaps he was best known for living out at Walkers Pond in Harwich with his 35 pound rabbit Shakespeare and his two goats, Zelda and Anthony. Mr Ormsby moved to Florida in the late 1970s with his wife Lisa and their beloved German Shepard, Serpico. He eventually went to work for Merit Fasteners where he was employed until his illness would no longer allow him to work. A man with a big heart, a wide smile and a great laugh, Mr Ormsby never turned away a stray animal or a person in need. He had a great love for playing cards with family and friends, and could always find the time to talk about his beloved Boston Red Sox. Perhaps the greatest gift that he bestowed upon the world was his ability to make people forget their worries and enjoy being in the moment. And even though he spent the last 40 years of his life in Florida, his heart was always in Cape Cod. He is survived by his daughters Becky of Toledo Ohio, Ashley of Orleans Mass, sons Stephen of Jacksonville Fl, and Jonathan of Cape Cod. Mr Ormsby was the proud grandfather of Keegan, Jacob, Ashton and Gino. He also leaves a nephew Carl Howerton, his wife Laura and daughter Audrey of Marshfield MA and a niece Debbie Howerton, her husband Joe Baglio and their daughter Tori Lee of Brookline MA. Internment is private and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.