William (Bill) H. Pegnam, Jr., 79

HAVERHILL – William (Bill) H. Pegnam, Jr., 79, passed away on September 19, 2025 at Haverhill Rehabilitation and Healthcare after a battle with vascular dementia and heart disease. He was the beloved husband of Nancy (Paquette) Pegnam. They were together for 43 years and married for 29 years.

Bill was born on March 10, 1946 in Lowell to the late William H. Pegnam and Claire E. (Queenan) Pegnam. He grew up in Haverhill in Ayers Village. Bill attended St. James Grammar School and Central Catholic High School where he graduated in 1964. Bill served in the United States Air Force from 1965 – 1968, where he was a disbursement officer. He served in Korea, Thailand and 30 days in Vietnam. While stationed stateside he worked at Roy Rogers Apple Valley Ranch. Bill worked in the Computer Industry in the early 1970s. He then worked at Western electric for 11 years. He worked as a bartender for 24 years at various establishments in Haverhill, including Smith’s Tavern, Currier Tavern, the Amvets and the Old Colony House. His last job he had the cleaning contract at the Crescent Yacht until he retired.

In the 1980’s Bill had a side business called Roses n Things. He created beautiful bouquets and wedding flowers. Bill’s passion was gardening and he was able to indulge that passion when he and his wife moved to Merrimac, MA. He had a good-sized vegetable garden and grew beautiful flowers. His Dahlias were the talk of the neighborhood. Bill enjoyed animal shows, Curse of Oak Island and bird watching. He put out bird feeders and he especially liked watching hummingbirds. Bill was a life member at the Crescent yacht Club where he received the Tony Favara Award in 2008. He was also the Grounds Chairperson for many years. He had many friends and was well liked by everyone he met.

Besides his loving wife, he is survived by his daughter Nicole Hernandez and her husband Juan of Lawrence. His sister Mary Margaret (Peggy) Blanchard of Tampa, FL, his four granddaughters Jocasta Martinez, Courtney Guerrero, Stephanie Reyes, and Katlynn Santiago; three great grandchildren Sebastian, Arabella, and Esteban, and one great grandchild due in November. He also leaves behind his mother-in-law Shirley Brown of Haverhill, his sister-in-law Michelle Monahan and her husband Michael of Milford, NH, and three nieces and one nephew and their children. He was predeceased by his sister-in-law Kathleen Paquette who passed away on August 31^st.

The family would like to thank the staff at Haverhill Rehabilitation and Healthcare and Harborside Hospice for the wonderful care that Bill received in his two years of residence at the nursing home. At his request there will be no service, but a Celebration of Life at a later date. Donations in his name may be made to the Cares and Shares Program at the Crescent Yacht Club which was formerly the Adopt-a-Family program which was founded by and run for many years by his wife and was dear to his heart. Arrangements are under the care of the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home. Please visit www.comeaufuneral.com or Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook.