Obituary of William Francis Sweetnam

William Francis Sweetnam Sr. William (Bill) Sweetnam, 84, of Freehold Township passed away Friday, May 12, 2017, at his home. Born in Brooklyn, New York, to William Francis Sweetnam and Jane Gertrude Haggerty. He was a US Army Veteran having served in Korea in the Korean War. He graduated from Fordham University with a B.A. in accounting. He moved from Brooklyn to New Jersey in 1962. After 38 years as an accountant for Avon Products he retired in 1993. He was a member of the National Association of Accountants, a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish for 55 years during which he served on the Parish Council, the Holy Name Society, and the School Board. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. For many years, he worked with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to help people in need. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America for over 60 years. His service included - Troop 18: Scoutmaster, Committee Chair, and Unit Commissioner; Battleground District: Advancement Chair, Membership Chair, and FOS Chair; Monmouth Council: Executive Board Member, Forestburg Camp Director for several years, Wood Badge & PLS Staff Member, and Order of the Arrow Na Tsi Hi Lodge Advisor. Awards received include Battleground District Award of Merit, Scoutmaster Key, Christ the King Award, Silver Beaver Award, Vigil Honor, Na Tsi Hi Founders Award, District Committee Key, and Monmouth Council Friends of Eagles Award. Survived by his wife of 61 years, Mabel Joan Keller Sweetnam, four children: William (and Anne), Robert (and Marisa), Barbara, and Kevin (and Jennifer) and seven grandchildren: Kevin, Katherine, Julia, Elizabeth, Sean, Daniel, and Gregory. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Joseph and survived by sister-in-law, Evelyn and family. The viewing will be held at Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold, NJ, on Monday, May 15, 2017, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The Funeral Liturgy will be at St. Rose of Lima Church, 16 McLean Street, Freehold, NJ, on Tuesday at 10:00 am. The interment will follow at the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Monmouth Council Boy Scouts of America 705 Ginesi Drive, Morganville, NJ 07751, Attention: William Sweetnam Tribute or Hospice VNA Health Group,176 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank, NJ 07701 Attention: Foundation Office