William H Greaves

Celebration of Life will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Congregational, United Church of Christ, on Euclid Avenue, Sarasota. National Cremation & Burial Society is in charge of arrangements.

He is survived by his wife, Linda of Sarasota; his mother, Doris E. Mersereau of Sarasota, his daughters Jessica (Marc) Rainsford and Ellen Greaves-Donatelli, Nicole O'Melvin-Greaves and his step-son, Robert E. Hinman, Jr., and nine grandchildren.

Education; Bachelors' Degree, Political Science Major w/Nasson College, Sanford Maine, Master's Degree in Counseling from the University of Southern Maine Portland, Maine.

After 16 years of triumph over cancer, Willian H. Greaves of Sarasota, died peacefully at his home.

A resident of Sarasota, Fla. for 20 years, Mr. Greaves moved from Maine in 1992. He was a social worker for many years with the State of Maine as both a clinician and administrator at halfway houses for drug and alcohol abuse clients in Portland, Maine. He also maintained a private practice in counseling. Politically active as a Young Democrat representing the State of Maine, he visited the White House as a delegate and met with President Kennedy in the Rose Garden. He was active in Maine in passing the first environmental bottle bill.

In 1992, upon moving to Sarasota, Fla., Mr. Greaves worked for First Step of Sarasota and started the Choices Program in rehabilitation for drug and alcohol abuse clients. In 1995 he was selected by the Florida Department of Alcohol Abuse as their Administrator of the year. He was administrator of that program for eight years. Later connecting with officials at TideWell Hospice of Southwest Florida, William became employed as a bereavement specialist and established many community outreach programs at health centers, retirements homes and assisted living facilities. He counseled at special bereavement sessions in the home, in schools and in offices as the need arose. Retiring in June 2011, Mr. Greaves was active in TideWell Hospice for 13 years.

A published author, Mr. Greaves wrote educational and clinical articles for training. He was published by the Bert Rogers Schools in Continuing Education Courses and featured in their home study for Florida nurses, with the course "The End of Denial; Helping Alcoholics and Their Families," copyright 1997.

Throughout William's life he actively participated in the Martial Arts. Rising to the rank of Sifu, as a third-degree black belt, he taught many students to honor an ancient Chinese form of spirituality of self-defense. Beginning with Riverview Foundation in Topsham, Maine and becoming an instructor with the school, he later started his own dojo in Sarasota, Fla. during the late 1990's. Numerous students have benefitted from his instruction and belief in the spiritual healing of this art as well as the life lessons derived from the discipline of self-defense.

An activist and conservationist, William always enjoyed the outdoors, was an avid camper, kayaker, hiker and fisherman.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to TideWell Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota, FL, 34238; and the Florida Center for Early Childhood, Inc., 4620 17th Street, Sarasota, Florida, 34235. Guestbook; www.NationalCremation.com