William P. Christern

[ Originally published on: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 ]

GREENFIELD -- William P. Christern, 88, of Greenfield, died at home on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009.

William was born in the Bronx, N.Y., on Oct. 28, 1921, the son of Wallace and Margaret (Neu) Christern. As a young boy, he grew up in Flushing, Queens, N.Y., and was a graduate of Flushing High School. His father was a musician in vaudeville playing drums and creating sound effects, while his mother was a homemaker. At that time Flushing was full of lush trees and vacant lots, and William spent much of his youth playing baseball from morning 'till night. He also sang on local NYC radio stations and worked a variety of jobs in the city. These included being a dispatcher on Wall Street,, working the counter at busy luncheonettes and printing blueprints. At this time he also ''made the rounds'' in the New York theater district auditioning for parts and acting in plays.

In 1947, he met his wife Ann (Golden), while both were acting in ''The Importance of Being Earnest'' in NYC. William and Ann married and toured throughout the U.S. and Canada, performing in a variety of plays including off Broadway productions of ''Macbeth,'' ''Coriolanus,'' ''Unto these Hills'' in Cherokee, N.C., ''Black Hills Passion Play'' in South Dakota and the Seminole Indian dramas, ''Florida, Aflame'' and ''A Voice in the Wind.'' Moving back to NYC in the 1950's, William began writing short stories, a passion he continued throughout his life.

In 1964, William, his wife and daughter moved to Greenfield, which reminded him of Flushing, N.Y., they way it was when he grew up there.

William went back to school, enrolling in the new Greenfield Community College. He enjoyed and excelled in his studies and went on to UMass Amherst, where he earned his MFA in creative writing. He received the Harvey Swados Award for excellence in creative writing for his short story, ''A Real Live Nephew.'' After graduating, he continued to write stories and novels.

He bought the Inkwell News on Federal Street, which reminded him of the candy stores in NYC. He genuinely enjoyed meeting and talking with the many different customers who got to know him over the years. William was an avid conversationalist and a patient listener; many people would seek him out coming in to buy a paper and then chatting in ''the back room'' for an hour.

William became active in local theater. He acted in the Arena Civic Theater in plays produced by his wife Ann who founded ACT. He played Ebenezer Scrooge in ''A Christmas Carol,'' was the lead in ''Macbeth'' and ''A Lion in Winter'' was the Lord and King to his wife's Lady and Queen. He was also in several outdoor dramas including ABIA's ''Panic'' set on Bank Row against the backdrop of the First National Bank, as well as in Historic Deerfield ''Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.'' He also published a book, ''A Fiddler's Midnight,'' in 2003.

William became his wife's devoted caretaker when she became ill with Parkinson's Disease, caring for her until her death in September of 2005.

Recently, William joined the YMCA in Greenfield, where he religiously worked out almost daily on the machines there. He was an avid reader, loved movies, music, dogs, and baseball.

He leaves his daughter, Wendy of Greenfield; a sister, Helen Mulvihill of Flushing, N.Y., and four nieces and nephews.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Salvation Army, 72 Chapman St., Greenfield, MA 01301 or the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, P.O. Box 319, South Deerfield, MA 01373 or www.dpvhs.org.

Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home of Greenfield is in charge of arrangements.

 

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