William Gerard Tinkler of Vero Beach, Fla., passed away October 18, at the age of 77.

Bill has often been described as “larger than life,” and people were naturally drawn to his great charm, charisma, and his irrepressible humor; he modeled a passion for life that was infectious. His great energy, his drive and determination, his love and generosity — knew no bounds. Whatever he did, he did well and he went big. By his example, he taught his children, grandchildren, and extended family to love and support one another, to work hard, to dream big, and to never stop anticipating life’s next adventure. His life was a gift to all who knew him and his legacy will endure in their hearts and minds forever.

Born in Bloomfield, Conn., in 1944, Bill was the son of William and Regina Sullivan Tinkler. He graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1962 and attended Tri-State College in Indiana. He met his wife of 58 years when they were in the sixth grade; they became best friends at age 11 and have been best friends ever since. In many respects, their story is a testament to the fact that the American Dream is still alive and well and fairy tales do come true.

In 1968, Bill settled in Newtown, with his young family, and in 1972 he started William Tinkler Associates, Inc, an industrial metals business. Bill enthusiastically immersed himself into Newtown life. He was part of the lifeblood of his community, serving as an active member of many charitable and business organizations, including the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He contributed to many aspects of small-town life as a committed volunteer and a sought-after leader. He sponsored and coached Little League and Pop Warner teams for years, and co-founded the town’s Winterset Ski Club. Bill’s big personality made him a sought-after emcee for a host of annual charity events and auctions, including the Connecticut Special Olympics, the Newtown Labor Day Parade, and the Miss Newtown Pageant. During these years, the tenants of Bill’s life were evident: hard work, dedication to his family and friends, and service to his community.

In 1984, Bill’s growing business necessitated a move to Winchester, Mass. This move to the Boston suburbs had an aspect of a homecoming for Bill as he encountered and appreciated for the first time the strong Irish heritage of the area. Thereafter, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to launch a second company that introduced his own innovative process in the production of heat set bars for the printing industry. Naming the company after his children, Bill incorporated JDM Industries in 1991.

Throughout his life, Bill had a passion for golf. He started out caddying at the Wampanoag Golf Course in West Hartford, and he later served as the captain of his high school golf team. He eventually belonged to Rock Ridge Country Club in Newtown, Charles River Country Club in Newton, Mass., Oyster Harbors in Osterville, Mass., Wild Cat Run in Estero, Fla., and Hawk’s Nest in Vero Beach, Fla. For many years he was happily able to run his businesses and golf several days a week.

Above all else, Bill has always been a beloved and devoted husband, father, uncle, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Cookie Mooney Tinkler; his children and their spouses: Douglas and Pam Tinkler of Vinings, Ga., Jennifer and Kevin Queally of Weston, Mass., and Mary and Casey Cook of Wellesley, Mass.; his eight grandchildren, Jack and Megan Tinkler, Cally, Katie, Billy, and Molly Queally, and Grady and Lilly Cook; his sister and brother-in-law Ken and Geraldine Mooney Carlon; his niece and her husband, Christine and Brian Campbell of Duxbury, Mass.; and four grand-nieces and nephews, Carlon, Patrick, Matthew, and Jonathan Campbell.

To his grandchildren, he was Popeye; they were the absolute joy and pride of his life; they had no better champion, no greater fan. They were perfect in his eyes; there was no one he preferred to be with, and the feeling was mutual. They adored their grandfather. He had a special relationship with each one and celebrated their successes with his infamous ALL CAPs texts of praise and congratulations. He taught his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews to work hard, to trust their inner voices while pursuing their dreams, and to always celebrate life’s journey.

Calling hours will be Friday, October 29, from 4 to 7 pm, at Henry J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 56 Washington Street in Wellesley Hills, Mass. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 30, at 10 am at St Julia Parish, 374 Boston Post Road in Weston, Mass. Interment will follow at Linwood Cemetery in Weston, Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tunnel To Towers Foundation.

The Newtown Bee October 29, 2021