William Leonard Bardeen

William Leonard (Bill) Bardeen, 86, most recently of Alliance Way in Manchester, NH, died peacefully on November 27, 2024 at Catholic Medical Center with his loving family by his side.

Bill was born on July 7, 1938 in Elmira, NY, the only son of Walter Leon and Esther Mary (Earley) Bardeen. Bill attended Elmira Free Academy where he met the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Linda Sue (Cunningham) Bardeen, whom he married on August 1, 1959. They built a wonderful life together over the next 60 years.

Bill joined General Electric in 1956 in Schenectady, NY and earned his BS degree in Economics at Union College in 1962. He served in the NY National Guard and discharged as a First Lieutenant in 1969. After a number of training opportunities, Bill was named to the GE Corporate Audit Staff, which allowed him to travel all over Central and South America and Europe. Remaining with GE for 22 years, Bill served in financial management positions in Schenectady, NY, Fitchburg, MA, Westport, CT and Coral Gables, FL. In 1979, Bill joined International Harvester in Chicago, IL, followed by executive positions at the Falk Corporation in Milwaukee, WI and Bell Atlantic in Philadelphia, PA. Bill retired as the Sr. VP & General Manager for Consumer Energy Services at PECO Energy in 1997. Bill served on numerous boards throughout his life including chairing the American Diabetes Association, Philadelphia Chapter and co-chairing the Willsboro Comprehensive Planning committee. He also served on the Walnut Street Theatre, Hedgerow Theatre and Champlain Area Trails (CATS) boards. Even after his retirement, Bill felt compelled to continue to serve his community.

Bill and his family regularly vacationed on Willsboro Bay, Lake Champlain where they formed lifetime relationships over 50 years with close family friends and many local residents who became like family. For twenty years, every July, the Bardeens rented the “green camp” alongside three other families and in 1992, purchased a retirement home up the road with a glorious view of Rattlesnake Mountain and countless Adirondack sunsets. After retirement, Bill and Linda sold their house in Devon, PA and split their time between the lake and their new house in the Lake Nona golf community in Orlando, Florida. After their time in Orlando, Bill and Linda eventually made their way full time to their beloved lake house where they lived for the next 13 years.

In 2022, Bill made the decision to move to RiverWoods, a continuous care community, in Manchester, NH, a few years after Linda’s passing and some health struggles of his own. This move gave Bill a renewed sense of hope and purpose. He developed strong relationships and became a well liked and respected member of the community, serving on their finance committee and the Resident Council, singing in the choir, and hosting a regular Saturday night card game.

Bill had many active interests throughout his life including water skiing, tennis, paddle tennis, golf, and perfecting the North Country’s best Michigan sauce. He shared these passions with his children and grandchildren, many of whom have continued to pursue similar passions as a result. Bill’s water skiing skills made him a local legend. He was the master of the “disk,” where you could see him trailing behind a ski boat on a round red wooden disk, getting to his feet and setting up a chair where he would sit with a newspaper in his hands and the toe rope around his foot. Golf was Bill’s true passion. He pursued this endeavor with fervor and dedication. He made three separate holes in one during his time as a member of the Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando. Integral to this lifelong pursuit were the many friendships he cultivated on the course, particularly at the Willsboro Golf Course.

Bill was a great storyteller and took pleasure in sharing tales while playing a heated game of dominoes or “Oh Hell”: accidentally hitting a goose with a low fairway wood shot while playing alongside Lee Trevino; dodging flaming marshmallows around a campfire at the lake; secretly holding Linda’s hand behind her poodle skirt at a school dance. He loved to laugh uproariously, discuss politics passionately, win card games handily, and have a dry martini on the porch with his best friend.

Bill was a force of nature. A loving husband, father and grandfather, a cherished friend, cousin and trusted advisor to many. Incredibly successful in the corporate world, Bill described his talent as “bringing people together and getting the best out of them.”

Bill is predeceased by his loving wife Linda Bardeen, her mother Rose Cunningham, and his parents, Walter and Esther Bardeen. Left to cherish his memory are his children Jonathan Bardeen and his partner Inn, Kristin Morgenstern, David Bardeen and his partner Jeff, grandchildren Margot Bardeen-Radzicki and her husband Brian, Bethany Bardeen, Brenton Morgenstern and Ian Morgenstern and his loving companion of the last two years, Jane O’Leary.

There will be no public calling hours. A Celebration of Life will be held in the future for family and close friends in William and Linda’s beloved “home” town of Willsboro, NY. The family would like to thank the staff and his many friends at Riverwooods of Manchester for making it possible for Bill to live independently and pursue a comfortable, purposeful and exciting life. The family would also like to thank the staff of Catholic Medical Center who provided loving care to Bill and to the family on his final day.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of William Bardeen may be made to Champlain Area Trails, PO Box 193, Westport, NY 12993; the American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202 diabetes.org; or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163 US, michaeljfox.org.

Assisting with arrangements is Phaneuf Funeral Homes. To view William's online tribute, send condolences to his family, or for more information, visit https://phaneuf.net