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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