William D. McCloskey

On February 22, 2025, William (Bill) McCloskey passed away peacefully at St. Elizabeth’s Nursing home, after a brief illness. He is the beloved husband of the late Rosemarie (Seydel) McCloskey and the late Dolores (Krauss) McCloskey. Loving father of Mary Ann McCloskey, Jackie Mittelman, Colleen McCloskey, Patricia McCloskey, Sheila Wheltle and husband Ray, and Eileen Delaney and husband Tim. Loving stepfather, uncle and grandfather of 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Bill was born in Philadelphia to the late Helen and Carroll McCloskey, and brother to the late Joseph Carroll McCloskey. He is survived by his sister- in -law Nancy McCloskey. Bill was a graduate of the now Drexel University, with an engineering degree. Bill served his country as an engineer with the US Army Guided Missile Testing program at White Sands Proving Ground from 1953-1955.

He spent his professional career as a specialist in heating and cooling, holding 4 patents in ice storage technology. In his long career with Baltimore Aircoil Company (BAC) he traveled around the world, including multiple trips to South Africa, Japan and Europe. In 1999 he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute. He was a member of the International Thermal Storage Advisory Committee, and wrote technical articles and was a speaker on topics concerning ice storage systems. He was a member of the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee for the University of Maryland System for 10 years. He was also a Fellow of ASHRAE- the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers.

As his mother Helen emigrated to Philadelphia from Ireland, Bill was eligible for Irish Citizenship, and was very proud of his heritage. He made 44 trips to Ireland in his lifetime, and often took large groups of his family with him to experience travel in Ireland. He was active in Baltimore Irish heritage groups, holding the position of President of Emerald Isle Club and also the Maryland Irish Festival, and was a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick as well as the Baltimore St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. He was the Grand Marshall of the Baltimore St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1993.

Family will receive friends from 2-4 & 6-8PM on Thursday, February 27 at the STERLING-ASHTON-SCHWAB-WITZKE FUNERAL HOME OF CATONSVILLE, INC, 1630 Edmondson Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228; and from 10-11AM, Friday, February 28 at St. Mark Chapel, 30 Melvin Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11AM, Friday. Interment in Cathedral Gardens Cemetery.

Bill was a devoted Catholic, and a member of St. Mark’s Parish in Catonsville for 46 years. In memory of Bill, and his parallel support of his parish and his professional interest in heating and cooling, donations in lieu of flowers can be made to St. Mark Parish, HVAC Capital Fund, 30 Melvin Avenue, Catonsville Maryland 21228