William "Bill" Girasole dies at 57

William Girasole, a 24-year resident of Rockville Centre, died on Sept. 3 after a long illness. He was 57 years old.

A leading realtor in Dyker Heights, Bill was president of the 13th Avenue Board of Trade and The Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst Beautification and Preservation Alliance. He was also a founder of the Brooklyn Dreams Charter School, which opened in South Brooklyn this month.

Bill was born on Dec. 26, 1952 in Brooklyn. He was the manager and broker of the family-owned Aldo B. Girasole Real Estate and sold countless people their homes in that community. The successful Brooklyn business was founded 65 years ago by Bill’s father, Aldo, who was a leading member of the Bay Ridge Real Estate Board.

Bill and his wife Lisa moved to Rockville Centre from Brooklyn in 1986. In addition to his love for his family and devotion to community service, Bill had a passion for golf. He was a member of the Rockville Links for 20 years. During that time his family made wonderful friends there who helped them through Bill’s illness and continue to be a tremendous source of support for his wife and four sons.

William loved living in Rockville Centre and took pride in taking care of his wife and children. He loved to wash his cars and tend to his garden. He loved watching his tomato and basil plants grow and enjoyed making Sunday dinner for his family. He named his entrees after a guest at each Sunday meal. His purpose was to help his wife Lisa as much as possible. He spent a tremendous amount of family time at home watching sports with his sons, especially the New York Jets. Football season will not be the same without him.

In 1996, Bill was the manager of the Rockville Centre Little League National All Stars team that advanced to the Final Four New York State Championship in Battery City Park in downtown Manhattan. His career as a Little League and Big League coach spanned many years and brought great joy to him, his sons and to his team.

Retired NYPD officer Robert Napolitano, the commanding officer of the 68th Police Precinct serving Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights and a Long Island resident himself, knew Bill through the merchant's association. He said Bill was a great guy and they often laughed about their mutual experience of having four sons. The Chaminade High School website noted Girasole’s sons: Alexander, a senior there now; William- class of ’02; Michael ’04 and Gregory ’06. Napolitano’s sons attended the same school.

Lisa and Bill were married for 27 years. He surprised her with a honeymoon to California and the islands of Tahiti, Bora Bora and Morea. On each anniversary and birthday, he continued to make special plans to celebrate, including surprise parties. Bill loved a party and enjoyed being with family and friends.

Bill is deeply mourned by his wife Lisa, sons Will, Michael, Greg and Alex. He also leaves behind his parents Regina and Aldo: sister Elaine and husband Robert, and their sons Robert and Christopher; brother Richard and wife Lauren, and their daughter Alexa, and brother Gerard and wife Elise and their children, Jordon and Sydney. He is also survived by Lisa’s siblings — brother Peter and wife Carol, their daughters Cara and Christina and husband Tom and their daughter Madeleine; sister Janet and husband Vince and their sons Matthew and JonPeter; sister Maria and her son Christopher and daughter Maya and brother Tom also mourn this loss. Aunts, uncles, cousins and friends also will miss him.

Bill’s wake was held at Macken Mortuary. After the funeral Mass at St. Agnes Cathedral, Bill was buried in St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.