William S. “Bill” Fox, Jr.
April 29, 1939 - December 30, 2025
William S. Fox, Jr, aka Bill Fox of Manor Pharmacy in New Castle, DE died in his kitchen while making a fresh pot of coffee for his wife on the morning of December 30, 2025.
He died suddenly. He was astute, mobile, funny, independent, and happily alive until the moment he wasn’t.
Which is exactly the way he would have preferred it.
Bill was born in New York City, NY, one of three siblings and dozens of cousins in a loving Irish Catholic family. He lived in Boston between the ages of 4 and 14, where he became a newspaper boy on the corner of South Station, shouting the headlines out to commuters and passerby on cold New England evenings. When the family moved to Delaware, he became a freshman at Wilmington High School, but when his mother found out he wanted to take a Drama class because of a cute girl, he was marched right over to Salesianum and immediately enrolled. Thus freed of female distraction, he became Student Council president at Sallies and went on to Philadelphia School of Pharmacy.
He bought Manor Pharmacy with several partners and began a 50 year career as New Castle’s most beloved pharmacist. He hadn’t quite lost his eye for the ladies, however, and when he saw Pat Cummings at a DuPont Country Club dance, he was completely smitten. They dated for several years, but she kept breaking up with him because he was too “fresh.” When she finally accepted his marriage proposal, her mother broke down in tears and said, “I prayed so hard for this.”
From the moment he saw her at that dance until the moment he closed his eyes forever, Pat was the single greatest love of his life.
They went on to have five children together. He enjoyed his work tremendously; so much so that he started employing his children at Manor Pharmacy from about their age of 12. His philosophy was: if you could stand on a box to reach the register and count out change, you could work. Over the years, several blizzards resulted in Bill walking through two feet of snow to open Manor Pharmacy, his children grumpily following him. With his built-in family team, even the soda fountain and the delivery boy could operate on time, no matter what the weather.
His work ethic extended to national service; he retired as a LtCol in the Delaware Air National Guard. The only time his wife ever saw him shed a tear was when he was leaving home en route to deployment for Operation Desert Storm. His home, and his wife, were everything to him.
After retirement, he settled into a very relaxing schedule of coffee…book…pipe….repeat. Sitting on his porch, surrounded by a halo of Borkhum Riff, coffee on the table and book in hand, Bill Fox was the personification of happiness. The only troubles he ever bothered to mention were the ever-fattening squirrels that thieved birdseed from his feeders (“those DAMN squirrels!”) and Pat’s insistence on moving things from where he last placed them (at least three or four weeks prior to him noticing.)
Only a few things were worth leaving his home-castle. One of those things was any event that involved a grandchild; for those he would be enthusiastically present. Even on the rainiest days, he and Pat would sit in their lawn chairs under big umbrellas to watch football, tennis, rugby, water polo, baseball…the list goes on. He clapped loudest at the musicals, stood proudest at the graduations.
He loved pizza and stromboli at Porto Fino’s, his grandchildren’s baking, falling asleep in his easy chair, old movies at 2 am, the sound of his wife singing in the car, black jeans and flannel shirts.
But mostly, he loved his family and friends. And they all – to a one – loved him back, fiercely.
He is survived by his loving wife, Pat; daughters, Maureen Sylvester (Todd), Suzanne Short (Bruce), Nancy Gise (Jim); his son, Joe Fox; his sister, Kathleen Fox Hackett (Dave); and eight grandchildren (Hannah, Henry, Grace, Abby, Caroline, Sam, Saxton and Julia.)
In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by his son, Billy.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30 am until 11 am on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 521 Harmony Street, New Castle, DE, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am. Interment will follow in the adjoining cemetery.
If he had his choice, he would suggest in lieu of flowers that people consider any organization which targets gluttonous squirrels. Barring that, he was a lifelong supporter of St. Peter the Apostle Church, and would be pleased to see donations there at the address listed above.
Maureen Sylvester
I miss you, Dad.
I saved one of your shirts. It smells of your hugs, the kind that got me through the hardest times.
I love you.
Rena Konkle
I am so sorry about your loss. May God comfort you in your time of sorrow. 🙏🙏🙏. Rena Konkle from West Virginia
Mike Davis
Pat,
Chris and I are so sorry for your loss. We send our thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Patricia Allen Reinbold
My condolences to Bill’s family. He was my birth family’s pharmacist forever! Bill was one of the good ones, always happy, ready to serve and just a fine man!! We drove by Manor Pharmacy just the other day and I immediately could picture Bill behind the counter! Rest in Eternal Peace Bill! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Debbie Couden
Pat & family,Matt & I are sorry for your loss. Bill was one of the nicest people we have ever met. Always kind, happy & eager to help us. We will miss him. Your next door neighbors.
Melody Schifano
Mr. Fox, I was devastated and deeply saddened when I heard about your passing today. You are one of the highlight for me at the credit union I always looked forward to your visit at the Branch.Ms Short knows how much I enjoy your visit at the branch. I had told you before you reminded me of my grandfather. He too loved to smoke the pipe and your personality and pipe scent reminded me so much of him. I cried so much today,I lost my grandfather all over again . You were such a wonderful man. I saw how much you love your wife and your family, you were kind and never mean and you made me feel like I was the best. The last time I helped you, you had thanked me for always having a smile and always ready to assist you. Thank you Mr. Fox. It was indeed my pleasure to serve and help with your needs.
Mrs. Fox, my deepest condolences to you and your children/ family. He was indeed one of the finest men I have ever had the honor of meeting. He will be welcomed with angels singing in heaven. I will
Miss you Mr. Fox may your souls rest in peace!
Amy Graver
Miss you, Uncle Bill. THank you for many years at the pharmacy debating the merits of your “muddy water” coffee and learning so many things from you. Peace for you now. Love and peace to the family.
Valorie Stecher’s Gillard
I’m so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. He was such a great man. He truly loved his wife and family and it showed every time I was in their company. RIP my friend.
Bill Sullivan
Mr. Fox and the entire family has always held a special place in my heart. Always enjoyed time spent at 13 Boswell Road, cherish the memories to this day and think of Billy daily. Thoughts and prayers from the Sullivan family.
Bill, Patty, Shayne, Bill Bill, Kyle, Maddie, Taytum & Jagg
Patsy (Rees) Robison
My condolences to the family. I’ve know Bill Fox since I was a child. My mom, Arlene Rees, worked for him at the pharmacy so long ago. Bill was a kind, sweet person. He always remembered me when I ran into him. So sad to hear of his passing. My prayers to the family.
Elyse Kolich
Pat, I will always remember Bill as a kind, gentle soul with a pipe. Our connection goes back to becoming the Godparents for Jennifer. I pray for you and your family for some peace during this difficult time.
Liz Slater
Grateful for the opportunity to honor Bill — with just a few memories that exemplify his generous soul.
When Bill’s sister Kathleen and I were in elementary school, Bill often drove Kathleen, our friend Janice, and myself to play basketball for the Holy Rosary CYO team. After the games, Bill would take us to Howard Johnson’s for ice-cream sundaes. Then when we were old enough to start applying for jobs, Bill always agreed to be a personal reference for me. I was so proud to write “William S. Fox, Pharmacist” on each application! … And there were a lot of employment applications. Bill bought Kathleen a car when she and I were in college together. That blue car carried us to work at Delaware Park and traveled many times to bring us home to Claymont from the University of Delaware. When I began to have children, Bill’s pharmacy would deliver antibiotics and cough medicines all the way to Glasgow for me. The memories continue to flood in — the first time Kathleen took me to Bill and Pat’s home and then visiting them on Thanksgivings when the Herlihys and Duffys joined the Fox clan. Generosity and Love mark Bill’s life, well-lived.
Gail Wham
Deepest sympathy to all of his family & may his memory grant you peace. I knew Bill from the time I moved to the Manor at 5 years old. My first job was at Manor Pharmacy as a teenager & I have fond memories of Bill. He was always so pleasant, calm, professional and I remember the pipe! Great picture of him here that brought a smile to my face as I remember!
Beverly Ross
My deepest sympathy to all of those in his family, I know he was loved by all including myself and my family. My children worked at Manor Pharmacy with him and loved him as well. He will be in our prayers. We are so happy to have known him. God bless everyone. Thank you.
Frank Hartnett
I was saddened to see that Bill had passed. We would see him at the Manor Pharmacy as Dad picked up medicine for our family. He really helped with our brother Andy who became a flight nurse for the DANG. We would also see him at the Guard Pharmacy in New Castle. The last time I saw Bill was at the pharmacy at Bolling AFB, DC. We looked at each other and he started the conversation with “you are Hardy and Kitty’s son!” We discussed our experiences at Manor Pharmacy and the DANG Dispensary where my Dad was the senior NCO, and Andy went on to be a flight nurse.
I send my condolences and prayers to the entire Fox family. He was an amazing man!
Theresa M Brzozka
I am so sorry for your loss. Such a kind, trusting person! He ran a tab and never any pressure. God blesses those who bless others. Rest in Peace. Harrington, Sweeney and Brzozka families
Marylou
I’m so sorry for your loss , my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Tim & Doris Crowley
Doris and I send along our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the Fox family. We were saddened to hear of Bill’s passing and know. our Lord is is waiting to welcome him into Heaven.
May God bless your Family,
Tim and Doris Crowley
Francis E Ryan Sr
On behalf of the St. Patrick’s Society at St. Peter The Apostle Church, condolences to Pat and the Family. Bill Fox was a loyal member of the Society for many years and would step up with Pat beside him whenever needed. He was one of the “Good Guys” that you meet in life. He was a scholar and a gentleman who dedicated his life to his family. As a friend to many people and a proud member of the Armed Forces, any person would be honored to call him “My Friend”.
Rest In Peace Bill Fox
Francis E. Ryan Sr. Class of ’57 St. Peter’s High School
Joan Maxwell
Dear Nancy,
So sorry for your loss. The video was wonderful. You were blessed with a wonderful Dad. May he rest in peace❤️. Stacey’s mom
Ron Noble
Mr Fox was always a wonderful friend to my father, Nate Noble. In the childhood memories I have of Mr Fox, he always seems to be smiling and making the people around him feel like they wanted to smile, too. A wonderful man.
My deepest condolences,
Ron Noble
Jeff & Cindy Blevins
Saddened to hear this news about Mr. Fox. Our thoughts and prayers to everyone in the family.