William Nevin McCloskey, of Huntley, Illinois, passed away on Friday, December 06, 2024, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He was born January 21, 1945, in York, Pennsylvania to Janet (Valentine) and Rev. Robert J. McCloskey, Sr.
Throughout his younger years he lived up and down the east coast, from Massachusetts to Florida. A graduate of Cocoa High, he attended Stetson University in Deland, Florida, and served in the U.S Coast Guard. William married Martha (Gould) McCabe in 1968 with whom he had his only child, daughter Jennifer Lynn.
A veteran within the insurance industry, he spent his early career with Chubb, and Crum & Forster. It was while working for CNA that he and Jennifer relocated from rural Reading, Pennsylvania, to the windy city, on what was a historically frigid day in January amid the Super Bowl frenzy of the 1985 Chicago Bears. It was at this time he reunited with an old colleague, Linda Jayne Anderson, whom he married in August 1986. She preceded him in death on Christmas Day of that same year. From there on, he and Jennifer continued to live and thrive in downtown Chicago, enjoying sailing and all that city life along the lakefront had to offer.
In the summer of 1997, he relocated to suburban Palatine, IL, to be close at hand to care for his new grandson, Dylan William Wilken. Now “Grandad,” William embodied the jolly and goofy spirit of his father and reveled in being best buddies with Dylan throughout his life, giving him walking lessons at only six months, teaching him goofy words and phrases, and attending every school function and sporting event, including Dylan’s college orientation and family weekends.
In January 2000, William met Jeannie Murray Costin and the two married in September of that same year. As he introduced himself to Jeannie as Mac he was known that way by her and all of their friends. They eventually relocated to a new home in Del Webb’s “Sun City” in Huntley, IL where they enjoyed their retired, sunset years with new Sun City neighbors, friends, and their growing extended family. Fond of travel, Mac and Jeannie enjoyed cruising and meeting each’s family and making new friends on trips to Florida, California, Hawaii, Arizona, England, Ireland, and Italy.
What made William happiest was to be known as Grandad. In joining his family with Jeannie’s, he also became stepdad to her two daughters Kelly Demuth (Daniel) and Casey Vanderweel (Matthew) and doting, dutiful and even more goofy Grandad to their children, similarly enjoying going to their games, recitals, and school events whenever possible.
William was known for his sense of humor, meticulous organizing skills, intellect, generosity, and kind and loving spirit. He also could fix anything, build, plant, create whatever was needed in his home. He enjoyed being an active member of the St. Mary’s community and socializing with people from the neighborhood and church.
William is survived by his sisters Kathleen Krukonis and Christine McCloskey; his daughter Jennifer and her son Dylan Wilken; his wife, Jeannie, and her daughters Kelly Demuth (Daniel) and Casey Vanderweel (Matthew), and their children: Maya, Jahsiah and Athena Demuth; Caitlin Draftz, and Madison, McKayla and Maisy Vanderweel; as well as several cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
Services will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church of Huntley, 10307 Dundee Road, on Friday, December 13th, starting with visitation at 9 a.m. and funeral Mass at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Journey Care Hospice, Hope Foundation, 405 Lake Zurich Rd, Barrington, IL 60010, OR donations made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, 800-272-3900, or alz.org/get-involved-now/donate.
For further information please contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772.
Online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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Everything I’ve heard about you is how amazing you were - kind and sweet. Sending big hugs to Jenn, Dylan and the rest of the McCloskey family
Dear Jeannie, I was so sorry to hear about Mac's passing. I remember Mac as a very nice man with a welcoming demeanor. Love, Cathy Olcott
Dear Jenn, Dylan and Family, Remembering all our fun visits and the care and interest your Dad always showed to me throughout our lives. I will always remember his smiles and thoughtfulness. Love, Em and Doug
So very sorry for your loss. Always hard so many wonderful stories from Jenn on what a wonderful father/granddad he was.
we are very sorry at your loss but GOD knows what doing in taken Mac from you
Jeannie and family. I am so sorry for your loss. I remember hearing about Mac from you and what a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather he was. Praying for you. Alzheimer's is an awful disease and exceptionally hard on the family. May God help you all, throughout your grieving. Laurie Topolski
I wish I could be at the funeral. Memories of Uncle Bill... his life story is definitely a journey. Hugs, love, and healing to those he life behind. Bon voyage and Travel in Peace, Uncle Bill!!