William "Bill" Adrien Chouinard

William Adrien Chouinard, “Bill”, age 67, of Ft. Myers, Florida- formerly Fall River, Massachusetts died Tuesday, September 6, 2011 surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Joanne M. (McClam) Chouinard, with whom he was blessed to celebrate 44 years of marriage in August.

Bill was born in Fall River on April 9, 1944, a son of the late Adrien J. and Stella R. (Hebda) Chouinard, and was a lifelong resident until moving to Florida in October 2009. Bill was known for his sense of humor, love of music, belief in tradition, profound courage and eternal optimism. After being diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) in 1992, Bill received the miracle of life with a liver transplant on September 29, 1998 and considered that his Re-birthday. He embraced life and was forever grateful for each day.

A Science Teacher, Mr. Chouinard taught 7th and 8th grade for 21 years at Seekonk Intermediate School, retiring in 1988. He then worked as an Environmental Toxicologist for Springborn Smithers Laboratories in Wareham for 15 years, retiring in 2007. He was a graduate of BMC Durfee High School, Class of 1962, the former SMU – now UMASS Dartmouth, Class of 1966 and served in the Army National Guard.

Mr. Chouinard was a communicant of St. Jean the Baptist Church, now Holy Trinity in Fall River. A lover of nature, he enjoyed camping, fishing and walking. He played guitar, grew his own fruit trees, tended a yearly garden, canned his own vegetables and made the best pierogis, perfecting his mother’s recipe with his family every year over Thanksgiving weekend. He was a member of the New Bedford Rod and Gun Club and was a yearly participant in the Annual Giunta Road Race.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two daughters: Kimberly J. Smith and her husband James I. of Fall River, Kerrie E. Poore and her husband David T. of Ft. Myers, and one son: Joshua Adrien Chouinard of Fall River. Papa to Dierdre Lorraine Smith and Monica Adrienne Smith. Brothers: Ronald J. Chouinard, Lawrence P. Chouinard and his wife Patricia A., both of Fall River, and the late Roger J. Chouinard. Sister Carol A. Pilotte and her husband Leonard R. of Tiverton, RI, and several nieces and nephews.

His Funeral will be held Monday September 12, 2011 at 8:30 am from the WARING-SULLIVAN HOMES OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE AT CHERRY PLACE, 178 Winter St. Fall River with a Funeral Mass at 10:00 am in Holy Trinity Church, 951 Stafford Rd, Fall River followed by Burial in Notre Dame Cemetery. Visiting hours Sunday 3-6 pm. Contributions in his honor may be made to PSC Partners Seeking a Cure, 5237 So. Kenton Way, Englewood CO 80111 www.pscpartners.org or MA Organ Transplant Fund, c/o Joan Gorga, 2 Boylston St, 3rd Fl, Boston, MA 02116.