William Mark "Bill" Resnick

Bill was born in Miami, FL to Jerome and Selma Resnick, on December 12, 1956. He was born on the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe and shares a birthday with Frank Sinatra, whose music he loves. He became interested in music at the age of 3, sitting at the piano with his dad watching him playing classical music. Bill’s uncle, Herb Resnick, played oboe and toured with several orchestras. Bill studied piano and played trombone in the Miami High School Band. He also played double bass in the school orchestra, as well as the jazz band. While in high school his music teacher was so impressed by his musical composition and arrangements skills, he asked his young student to help him with a composition he was working on for his own graduate studies. Bill had the lead role in the high school musical production of “Hair”. He learned to speak fluent Spanish from the influence of the many Cuban Americans he was associated with. Bill became proficient in not only piano and trombone, but trumpet, electric bass, and organ. He toured with a famous band at the time and the furthest he traveled for a tour was Japan. He played in one of the top Cuban bands in Miami. Bill’s passion later on was playing in jazz ensembles. Bill’s son Justin is a gifted musician and has a degree in music therapy. Bill’s mother passed away when he was 13 years old. His father told him he needed to get serious about pursuing a career he could earn a living and not to make being a musician his whole focus. Bill decided his career to please his dad and decided to train to be a piano technician. He found a way to earn a living and still be around pianos. Years later he would take the exam and become a registered piano technician. He has done various concert tunings for famous artists. He submitted an article for publication on “The Painless Pitch Raise” to the Pianos Technicians Guild. They published his article. He moved from Miami to Maryland several years earlier. He played at Brookmanor Country Club in Olney, MD, where he and his wife had their first date, 35 years ago. He loved horses and owned a thoroughbred horse and an appaloosa. He showed in hunter jumper competitions. He wanted a bigger challenge, so he trained his thoroughbred for steeplechase racing. Bill, with a lot discipline got himself in jockey condition by losing enough weight to qualify and meet jockey requirements. He ran several steeplechase races, jockeying his own horse. Years later he wanted a new challenge. He wanted to “ride with hounds”. He was accepted in the Bull Run Hunt, aa foxhunting club recognized by the Masters of the Foxhound Association of North America. They hunted on land in Culpeper, Madison, Orange, and Spotsylvania counties in Virginia. He also loved fine cuisine and to cook, so he took classes at the NY Culinary Institute. Bill and his wife moved to Calvert County, MD and were married at Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church on December 30, 1995. They would have celebrated 28 years of marriage this year. It wasn’t until 10 years later, Bill enrolled in RCIA classes at Jesus the Good Shepherd to become Catholic. He joined the music ministry and sang in the 10:45 AM choir. Years later he would become the accompanist for the 5:00 PM youth choir mass. While in RCIA Bill was given the book on Catechism of the Catholic church. Bill read the book cover to cover in 2 weeks. He absorbed everything he read and could recite Catholic Doctrine at a moments notice. He became quite the  Catholic apologist. After being received in the church at Easter Vigil Mass in 2006 he didn’t waste time. He joined several Bible study groups and continued in the music ministry. He started the Cenacle of Divine Mercy and introduced the Patriotic Rosary. He joined the Knights of Columbus and became a 4^th Degree Knight. He wanted to teach candidates for confirmation, but didn’t have time to take the classes required for taking the Catechist test. Bill knew Catholic Doctrine and was very rooted in knowledge of scripture. He asked to take the test without the classes and passed with high grades. He taught confirmation for a few years. He played for the Latin Mass at St. Francis in Benedict, MD and found a passion in the traditional Mass setting. He attended the men’s retreat at Loyola and later would play the Mass for Priests retreat. He became the Director of Music at St. Peter’s in Waldorf, MD. He auditioned for a place in the Papal Mass Choir for the Washington visit of Pope Benedict. He was accepted in the choir singing in the bass section. He taught bass and piano at Garrett Music Academy and previously taught piano technology at the University of Maryland. He was a proud member of the Sons of the American Legion in Chesapeake Beach. Bill had a passion for competitive shooting. He joined the 12^th Precinct Pistol Club in Harwood, MD. He participated weekly in the pistol and 45 matches. He competed in the Camp Perry national matches. He attained expert status in later years. From his days at Jordan Kitts Music, where he worked on rebuilding and refurbishing pianos. That led him to work at Wood Creations. He became a cabinet maker. He would later start his own business, while still tuning pianos as a part time job. He has worked with Habitat for Humanity and Christmas in April, giving back to the community he loved. His best friend Frank whom he thought of as a brother offered him an apprenticeship at Medart Gallery in Dunkirk. He would help Teresa in the store front when she was caring for her ill dad. Bill had a love of life and loved to learn and excel in whatever endeavors he embarked on. He loved baseball, classic Corvettes, anything having to do with WWII, animals, gardening, reading, fine cuisine, and cooking. He loved his “mandates” with his close buddies. His energy and enthusiasm for life is why his passing is such a loss to many. Don’t worry, Bill has achieved his goal in life and that is to be with our Lord Jesus Christ and our Blessed Mother. We can be assured that he has reached his mountain top and is singing with the Heavenly Choir. Knowing Bill, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he asks St. Michael for an apprenticeship to fight the battle alongside of him.

Bill is survived by his wife Mary Ellen Resnick, son Justin Resnick, sister Susan Dori Resnick, brother Peter Resnick and wife Peggy, sister-in-law Tessa Resnick, nephews Adam, Alec, Yoni, and Ayal Resnick, and Robert Goyones, and Godchildren Juliette and Charlotte Garrett. He was preceded in death by his parents Selma and Jerome Resnick and a brother Robert Resnick.