William A. "Bill" Maple

William A. “Bill” Maple, age 86, passed away peacefully in his Walpole, Massachusetts home on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Worcester, Massachusetts on January 15, 1933, he was the son of the late William H. and Beatrice (Michaud) Maple.  Bill was raised in Worcester, where he graduated from Saint Stephen’s High School with the Class of 1951.  Following graduation, he attended Assumption Preparatory School prior to beginning his career at the College of the Holy Cross.  After the completion of his first year at Holy Cross, Bill enlisted in the United States Army, proudly serving his country.  Upon his discharge, Bill returned to his class work at Holy Cross, where he would earn his bachelor’s degree in 1959.

 

While studying at Holy Cross, Bill married his beloved wife, Eileen J. O’Callaghan, on September 7, 1957 in Saint Philip’s Church in Grafton.  The young couple made their home together in Worcester, while Bill finished his educational obligations at Holy Cross and earned his master’s degree from Worcester State College.  Bill took his first teaching position in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, serving as a French teacher.  He moved his young family to the Berkshires before traveling across the state to Chatham on Cape Cod, where he took a position with Chatham High School and Nauset High School, teaching French.  In 1971, Bill and Eileen settled in West Roxbury, and Bill took a job with Catholic Memorial High School.  About a year later, Bill had a career change, taking a position with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the Division of Employment Security.  He spent more than 30 years helping the citizens of the Commonwealth before his retirement in 2003.  Following his retirement, Bill and Eileen settled in Walpole, Massachusetts, to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

 

Throughout his life, Bill loved being outdoors.  He looked forward to his summers spent at the beach, swimming, and his winters spent cross country skiing.  Bill also enjoyed spending his weekends hiking at various trails and mountains in the New England area.  Above all of these activities, Bills favorite was biking! He rode his bike to and from work every day and spent weekends riding through the city and throughout the Cape. As a man who was truly dedicated to his faith, Bill spent countless hours volunteering with Fr. Bill’s Place, feeding and caring for the homeless as well as with Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly.  In addition to helping others, he was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus and regularly volunteered as a lector and sang in the choir of Saint John’s in West Roxbury.  After settling in Walpole, Bill joined the Saint Mary’s Parish choir in East Walpole.  Most of all, Bill was a dedicated family man.  He treasured every moment that he spent with his wife, Eileen, six children, and sixteen grandchildren.  He was especially delighted at the birth of his great grandson, Joseph.

 

Beloved husband of Eileen J. (O’Callaghan) Maple.

Loving father of Kathleen A. Quinlan and her husband Jeffrey of Marshfield, William P. Maple and his wife Marnie of McLean, Virginia, Rosemary F. Sestito of Sharon, Kevin M. Maple and his wife Kim of Franklin, John F. Maple and his wife Anna of Foxborough, and Patricia A. Donahue and her husband Robert of Walpole. 

Cherished grandfather of Robert, Sean, Andreas, Alexa, Nicholas, Amanda, Samantha, Kristin, Kelli, Joseph, Michael, Juliana, Jake, Gabriella, Brendan, and Zach, and great grandfather of Joseph. 

Brother of Annmarie Faust of Oxford, Theresa Elliott of Brookfield, and the late Ronald Maple. 

Also survived by many nieces and nephews. 

 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Bill’s Life Celebration on Thursday, April 11, 2019 from 4 to 8 PM and Friday, April 12, 2019 from 9 to 9:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Mary’s Church, 176 Washington Street, East Walpole on Friday, April 12, 2019 at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 or at www.michaeljfox.org