William Michael Therrien

He was born in Tarrytown, NY on February 2, 1942, son of William and Anne (Hyland) Therrien. His family settled in the village of Irvington, NY, where he grew up. After surviving polio as a boy, he emerged as a community leader, a gifted mathematics student and a talented multi-sport athlete. He graduated from Irvington High School as his class president and went on to earn his BS in chemical engineering from the Drexel Institute of Technology, now Drexel University.

Bill and Grace MacKenzie were married in Boston in 1965 and raised two boys. While his career saw him working long hours and traveling internationally, Bill remained a devoted father and community member, coaching youth sports and leading scout groups for his sons, teaching Sunday School through his churches, and as a member of his local Rotary clubs.

Bill forged his career in the industrial gas industry as a chemical engineer, plant manager, regional manager, and Vice President of Engineering and Supply Systems at Linde Gases, which later became Praxair. After his retirement he worked intermittently as the principal at Granite Safety and Productivity Consulting.

Bill and Grace retired to Walpole in 1999. After an adjustment to rural life, he came to deeply love the community. He was an avid golfer - a member of the Hooper Golf Course for over 25 years - and played tennis with friends weekly in Walpole and at the Keene Racquet Club. Bill and Grace enjoyed researching family history and exploring the family’s ancestral regions in Scotland and Ireland.

Bill’s big heart and determination saw him keep active with volunteering, community stewardship, and charitable projects. He spent time on the church councils at St. John’s (Walpole) and Trinity Lutheran (Brattleboro); and the boards of the Hooper Golf Course and Our Place Community Food Center in Bellows Falls. Often demurring from recognition, he was at his most fulfilled when he could support his neighbors and family. His many community connections, friendships, and devoted family members helped sustain him after Grace’s death in 2012 and through health challenges in his later years. He was deeply grateful for the kindness and spirit he found in the Walpole and Keene communities.

Mr. Therrien is survived by his son William Therrien and his partner Julie McMaster of Marlborough; his son Alexander Therrien, daughter-in-law Meredith and beloved grandson Fletcher of Hollis; and his sibling, Ann Therrien of Dobbs Ferry NY, Jean Therrien Gottschalk of St. Charles IL, and Patrick Therrien of Cortlandt Manor NY. Bill was predeceased by his wife Grace and his younger brother Edward.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00pm at Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene. Burial in Walpole will be a family event.

Gifts honoring Bill in lieu of flowers may go to Our Place Community Food Center, PO Box 852, Bellows Falls, Vermont 05101.