William Bresnahan

CANFIELD - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Monday, at St. Michael's Church in Canfield for William W. Bresnahan, who passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 4, surrounded by his family.

Mr. Bresnahan was born on April 5, 1918. in Butler, Pa., the son of John R. and Kathryn (Wagner) Bresnahan, and grew up in Struthers.

He was a 1936 graduate of Struthers High School. In 1949, he married the former Margaret Lucas, who preceded him in death.

He served as a B-24 pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Upon his return from the service, he enrolled in accounting courses at Youngstown College while working at Eagle Rock Oil Co. In 1946, he began a lifelong career at the (then) Hynes Steel Products Company, starting as a bookkeeper, and rising to the position of Vice President and General Manager. In 1966, he and James P. Hyland purchased the company from the founders, and shortly thereafter renamed it Hynes Industries Inc. Mr. Bresnahan served as Hynes' President until 1989, and as Chairman of the Board until 2014.

He was a longtime member of the boards of directors of the Mahoning National Bank and Commercial Intertech Corporation. The Mahoning Valley Management Association named him Manager of the Year in 1975, and he was presented the Metals Service Center Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. He served on the boards of the Boys Club of Youngstown and the YMCA. He founded and chaired the Bresnahan Family Foundation, and was a trustee of the Hynes-Finnegan Foundations for nearly 50 years. He generously supported a wide range of community charities.

An avid golfer, he was a member of The Youngstown Country Club, Laurel Valley Golf Club, The Rolling Rock Club, and The Lake Club.

He was a charter member of St. Michael Parish.

Mr. Bresnahan was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. He presided over loud and laughter-filled family gatherings for over 60 years, and served as "activities director" for four generations of Bresnahans on family vacations.

He will be lovingly remembered by sons William J. (Joyce) of Naples, Fla., Michael J. (Sheila) of Boardman, Patrick (Jill) of Boardman, David L. of Poland, and Timothy T. (Kelly) of Canfield; daughters Susan B. McHugh of Sylvania and Kathleen B. Ackerman (Christopher) of Cary, N.C.; 21 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and sisters Rosemary McIntyre and Kathryn (Harry) Krall, both of Poland.

He was preceded in death by his wife; a daughter, Mary Jo Olson; and brothers John R. Bresnahan Jr. and Earl J. Bresnahan.

Calling hours are Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel, and on Monday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the William and Margaret Bresnahan Scholarship at the Youngstown State University Foundation, or a charity of the donor's choice.

Please visit www.higgins-reardon.com to view this obituary and send condolences.