Honorable William J. Kent III

KENT-Honorable William J., III, 80, died on February 17, 2019 at his summer residence in Fort Myers, Florida.  Born and raised in Brooklyn N.Y., Bill spent his summers with his family in Bayport, LI as a child, eventually making the area his permanent home. Bill Kent was the son of William J. Kent Jr., president of H. C. Bohack, Inc., and Arlene, daughter of John P. Zerega of Zerega Pasta Company. Zerega Pasta company has roots going back to 1848 when a French immigrant, Antoine Zerega, opened the first pasta company in America on the waterfront in Brooklyn, New York which would later move due to the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. “William J”, as some people referred to him, was a happy, generous and caring person to all those fortunate enough to come into his company as family or friend and will be terribly missed by all those who got to know him.

He attained his Bachelor’s Degree at University of Arizona and Law Degree at Fordham University Law School.  He served as Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney, Islip Town Deputy Attorney and Suffolk County Chief Deputy Attorney before becoming a District Court Justice in 1984.  Judge Kent served Suffolk County for 32 years as a District, Family and finally State Supreme Court Justice until his retirement in 2014.  

Judge Kent was predeceased by his first wife, Kathy (néeBason), in 1996.  He is survived by his wife, Patricia, his son, William J. Kent, IV (Katie Jennette); daughter Jill DeSantis (Mark); and by Patricia’s children, Jared Thomas, Anna Guido (Daniel) and David Fleming (Gina).  Bill was also proud grandfather of Samantha, Stephen, Thomas, Julia, Ava, Ella, Laci and the late Michael Guido, great-grandfather of Aayla Grace, and dear brother of John Kent (Mary) and Ethel Wheatley (Ron). 

Friends and relatives will gather 2-4:30 & 7-9:30 p.m. on Friday at Raynor & D’Andrea Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, West Sayville. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Sayville and interment will follow at the parish cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions to Hope Health Care, 9470 Healthpark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908, are appreciated.