BRIDGEPORT—William “Bill” Hoey, Sr., 66, Chief Mission Integration Officer at St. Vincent’s Medical Center/Hartford Health, and former Catholic Charities leader in the Diocese of Bridgeport, passed away at St. Vincent’s Medical Center Hospital in Bridgeport, on Friday February 16.
“Bill’s death is a loss for his family, our diocese, for St. Vincent’s and the larger community,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano. “He was a good man, and a man who put faith into action to serve others. Many people throughout Fairfield County have received compassionate care as a result of Bill’s advocacy, and innovative approach to behavioral health and community services. He is remembered by those of us who worked with him as a man of great faith who had the ability to connect with others and get things done for people in need. May he rest in the Lord’s peace.”
William Jennings, Senior Vice President and Fairfield Region President of Hartford Healthcare, said that employees were deeply saddened to learn of Bill Hoey’s passing.
“Bill was one of those rare individuals whose very presence made a lasting impression on our people, our organization and our community. He cared deeply about the underprivileged, and drew on his faith and his boundless compassion to find ways to serve. In so doing, he helped us all to be better stewards of our mission, and carry on the 120-year-old tradition of St. Vincent’s founders, the Daughters of Charity.”
Bill Hoey, MAHCM, LCSW, was responsible for overseeing all mission services and activities for St. Vincent’s Medical Center with continued responsibility for the Pastoral Care Department and the Parish Nurse Program. Hoey helped establish the Hope Dispensary of Greater Bridgeport through his work with the Primary Care Action Group, a collaboration of area health service organizations. He served on the National Advisory Council for the Dispensary of Hope, a national not-for-profit enterprise which provides uninsured patients with access to life-saving medication.
“Bill was a man of faith, which led him to grow strong ties to the community of Bridgeport. Throughout his time at St. Vincent’s, he was able to play a pivotal role in many efforts including the House of Hope, Swim Across the Sound, and the Hope Dispensary while also volunteering in programs such as the Medical Mission at Home,” Jennings said. “Bill’s sense of mission, and his profound Catholic faith, give us hope and courage to carry on his light — to continue the good works which he led, and of which he was a part.”
While serving as a vice president at Catholic Charities, Bill Hoey oversaw all aspects of the multi-program Catholic Family Services agency. He was instrumental in developing a $7 million dollar housing project at the Thomas Merton campus, a reorganization of mental health services resulting in a productive working relationship with St. Vincent’s Behavioral Health Services, and an early childhood consultation project providing clinical assessment for at-risk children in Head Start and school readiness programs. He also implemented a community outreach and prison ministry program, which provides formal representation to immigrants, and a program of clergy and victim assistance counseling for victims of sexual abuse. After leaving Catholic Charities, Bill Hoey worked closely with Bishop Caggiano and diocesan leaders on a number of collaborative programs. He also served as a valued and long-time member of the diocesan Sexual Misconduct Review Board.
Born in Hartford, Conn. on July 16, 1957, Bill was a graduate of Xavier High School and obtained a Bachelor’s in Sociology at St. Anselm College. After earning a Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University, he finished his education with a Master’s in Healthcare Management in Theology from The Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Mo. He worked as a social worker for the State of Connecticut for several years moving on to work at The Shirley Frank Foundation where he met his wife, Joan.
Bill always made time for family, spending most Saturdays exploring all around Connecticut with his beloved wife Joan. He was an avid Boston sports fan and could always be found at Fenway Park watching the Boston Red Sox a couple times a year. If he wasn’t at Fenway he would be visiting his son Bill Jr., who resides in the Boston area. Bill was a kind, caring, selfless, and spiritual man whose positive impact will always be remembered as we are all grateful for the ways he contributed to our lives.
A longtime Northford resident, Bill was the amazing husband of Joan (Calabrese) Hoey and loving father of William Edward Hoey, Jr of Northford, Conn. He is also survived by his brothers: Matthew T. Hoey III of Guilford, Conn., David Hoey of Old Saybrook, Conn., Joseph Hoey of Madison, Wisc., and Daniel Hoey of Vero Beach, Fla. He was predeceased by his father Matthew Thomas Hoey Jr. and mother Mary Jo (Quigley) Hoey.
Friends are invited to calling hours on Friday, February 23 from 4–8 pm at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. George Church, 33 Whitfield St, Guilford on Saturday, February 24 at 11 am. Burial will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704 Hagerstown , MD 21741; https://www.cancer.org/
To send condolences to the family, visit: https://www.guilfordfuneralhome.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=30794451
