William F. Gashlin Jr.

William F. Gashlin Jr. of Spencer, MA died peacefully on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, on his 91st birthday at the Lutheran Care Center in Worcester. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Ruth Schmidt Gashlin, in 1984.

William leaves two daughters, Bonnie Wasgatt and her husband George of Spencer, and Laura Gashlin and her husband William Kelly of East Hanover, N.J.; two grandchildren, George Wasgatt and his wife Hannah Hickman, and Jessica McDonald and her husband Justin; three great-grandchildren, Julia McDonald, William McDonald and Miriam Wasgatt and his niece Megan Lynch.

William (Bill) was born in Springfield, New Jersey, son of William and Dorothea (Meyer) Gashlin. Bill graduated from Springfield High School and attended Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ with a major in Political Science. He was a very active and loyal member of his fraternity Alpha Sigma Phi. Bill also earned a master’s degree at the City College of New York. He also served for many years in the New Jersey Army National Guard.

Bill had a long and successful career in the Group Insurance Departments of Banker’s National, Penn Mutual, Prudential and Aetna. He was instrumental in drafting the contracts, processes and procedures for the cornerstone of what is now known as HMO/PPO insurance. Bill traveled extensively meeting with the various State Departments of Insurance and Industry Association as an insurance and consumer advocate.

Bill was an avid reader, theater and opera enthusiast, lover of Cairn Terriers as well as the NY Giants and the UCONN Women’s Basketball Team. He traveled extensively within the US and abroad. Always a NYC and NJ advocate, his favorite place to visit was Long Beach Island, NJ where he vacationed for 70+ years.

A memorial service will be held in September.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the charity of your choice.