Retired Medfield Police Chief William “Bill” Hanson Mann, 91, of Medfield Massachusetts passed away unexpectedly on December 5th, 2018 in Framingham after a brief hospital stay.
Born in Framingham MA, he lived in Millis until he moved to Medfield at age 6 where he lived his entire life, making him an official Townie. He left school in the 10th grade and went to work at Socony Gas Station at the corner of Main and North pumping gas, washing and greasing cars, fixing flats, etc.; C&E Simpson and Sons driving dump trucks and digging ditches, etc.; the Newell’s Motor Livery driving taxis and school buses. He also worked for the Roberts Funeral Home, Medfield Cemetery, and Medfield Highway Department. At age 17, he joined the Merchant Marines.
He was drafted into the Army at the end of 1950 and stationed in Germany in 1951 as the rank of Corporal in Company C 175th Military Police Corp, where soon after he met his future bride, Elisabeth. They married in the beginning of 1952, and by the end of the year, they welcomed their first daughter Nina. In 1954, while pregnant with their second daughter Rosemary, they moved back to Medfield. When he was discharged from the Army in 1956 he gained employment with the Charles H. Clougherty Company selling and delivering fire equipment for many years. He joined the Medfield Police Department and welcomed his son, William, in 1959. In 1969, he was appointed as the Chief of Police, and held that post for 20 years, retiring in 1989, establishing him as a local icon. In his retirement, he became CPR instructor and taught CPR to high school students and community groups with his friend, Ann Thompson, until 2008.
A philanthropist, he raised money for many causes; one of his favorites being the Jimmy Fund. He was also an active participant in the Medfield Home Committee. During the Holiday Season, he would play Santa Claus for many town activities such as the Holiday Parade, Lord’s Midnight Madness, and Spaghetti with Santa, as well as for private home parties. In retirement, his hobbies included golfing, with annual golf outings to Myrtle Beach, and Patriots football as a season ticket holder since 1960. He enjoyed being active at the German Club and the Medfield Legion, and was a loyal supporter of all Medfield High School sports teams. Attending all of their events, he was dubbed their # 1 fan.
A loving husband, father and grandfather, Bill leaves behind his wife Elisabeth (Berlin) of 66 years; two daughters, Nina Mann and Rosemary Mann – both of Medfield; a son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Linda Mann of North Andover; three granddaughters, Kendra Cunningham in the Army currently stationed in Germany, Reba Anderson and her husband Brett in Denver, Colorado, Cassidy Mann in Scottsdale, Arizona; a grandson Karl Mann in Malden; and one great-grandson Henry Anderson.
Visitation: Friday, January 18th, 2019, 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Roberts Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home, 15 Miller street, Medfield.
Funeral Service: Saturday, January 19th, 11:00 a.m. at the United Church of Christ, 496 Main St, Medfield.
Interment: Private at a later date
In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of his favorite charities: The Jimmy Fund c/o Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or The Medfield Home Committee, 459 Main St, Medfield, MA 02052.
