By Mary Katherine Stump DELRAY BEACH — William Seach, a resident of
Delray Beach and Pittsburgh, Penn., died April 26 after a long
illness. He was 81 years old. Mr. Seach was a native of Clairton,
Penn., and a longtime resident of Bethel Park, Penn., where he was
actively involved in the Saint Germaine parish, most specifically
with its missionary work in Chimbote, Peru. In nearby Pittsburgh,
he operated a homebuilding and development company, Seach Homes
Inc., with his brother Ray, and campaigned for the modernization of
building codes, forming Action Housing to produce low-cost housing
in the city. Along with his son David, Mr. Seach was also involved
in the development business in South Florida during his 23 years
here through his company Meadowland Development, whose projects
include Jupiter By the Sea and a number of residential developments
in Wellington. Mr. Seach’s connections in the development business
placed him in a unique position to recruit funds and building
materials for the people of Chimbote, Peru, which were used to
build new homes for the residents, who were displaced after a
devastating earthquake in 1970. The Centro de Obras Sociales, a
hospital built by Saint Germaine parish with his help, served over
195,000 people in 2008 and is credited with helping to lower
Chimbote’s high infant mortality rate. “He was a wheeler and a
dealer,” said his son Mark, a resident of Wellington. “He twisted
some arms to get the people of Chimbote what they needed.” Of his
time spent in Delray, his son David says, “His recreation was his
grandchildren. He loved having the kids down.” He is survived by
his wife of 55 years, Marilyn; children, James, Mark, Mary and
David and five granddaughters. A memorial Mass was held May 16 at
St. Lucy Church, Highland Beach. The family requests in lieu of
flowers that memorial contributions be made to: Hospice of Palm
Beach County, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33047.
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