William Patrick Owens

HYANNIS/HOLDEN - William Patrick Owens, Jr., age 74, passed into eternal life on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at home in Hyannis surrounded by his loving family, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Those who knew and loved Bill can attest to the fact that he was a hero in every sense of the word. Bill leaves his beloved wife and best friend of over 25 years, Joanne M. (McDonald) Owens. He will forever be lovingly remembered and missed by his sons, Stephen William Owens of Auburn and Michael Thomas Owens of Easthampton; his daughter and son-in-law, Tracey Ann (Owens) and Gian Caterine of Florence; his stepson and daughter-in-law, Robert and Susan Z. Maher of London, England; his stepdaughter and son-in-law, Kristen (Maher) and Mark O'Brien of Holden. Bill is also survived by his adoring grandchildren, Devin Wm. Jos. Duval of Lisbon, CT, Christopher Owens of Millbury, Rowan Emma Kelley of Florence, Remi, Jack and Jamison Maher, of London, England, and Shannon, Connor and Molly O'Brien of Holden. He leaves behind his beloved pets, Sammie, Sophie, and Lady who were his loyal companions to the end. He is survived by many close friends and relatives.

Born October 6, 1935 in Worcester to the late William P. Owens, Sr., and Anna Nicholson, Bill grew up on Grafton Hill where he made lifelong friends. Bill served as an altar boy at St. Stephen's Parish in Worcester and later graduated from St. Stephen's High School. He attended Worcester State Teachers College, graduating in 1958. He served in the Air Force Reserve until 1963, attaining the rank of Airman Second Class. He earned his M.Ed. at Worcester State College in 1962, his CAGS in Administration from the University of Connecticut in 1969 and his M.A. in Psychology from Anna Maria College in 1975.

Bill lived in Auburn and Holden for many years before moving with his wife Joanne in 2004 to Hyannis. He began his career as a teacher in Northborough in 1958; four years later he moved on to become the Principal at Berlin Elementary School until retiring in 1982. Bill served as an interim Superintendent of Schools in the Berlin-Boylston Regional School District in 1977-1978. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Assabet Valley Special Needs Collaborative, a director of the In-Service Drug Education Program for Teachers K-12 and co-director of a program for Children with Learning Disabilities in Berlin and Boylston in the late 1960's and early 1970's. After taking his early retirement from education, Bill worked as vice president, branch manager, and sales officer for Westmark Mortgage Corporation, Consumers Mortgage, and Baybank. He and his wife also ran a bed and breakfast they named "Snows Creek Inn" out of their home in Hyannis for many years. Upon his "retirement" to Cape Cod in 2004, Bill launched his own business, Cape Cod Housecheck, as well as working for Family Continuity of Hyannis. Bill was a parishioner of St. Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis.

Bill loved the Red Sox and Patriots, playing tennis, flying planes, riding motorcycles, boating, laughing, feeding the birds in his beautiful back yard, and being with family and friends while relaxing at his home on Cape Cod. He liked nothing better than stopping in to see friends while out for a ride with his dogs. Bill touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and his trademark sense of humor. Throughout his long battle with cancer, he always maintained an indomitable spirit and continued his fight each day as his illness progressed. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Friends and family are invited to attend calling hours from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 15th, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Bill's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 16th, in St. Mary's Church, 114 Princeton St., Jefferson. Burial will be private in St. John's Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Beacon Hospice, c/o Lighthouse Foundation, 259 Willow St., Unit 2, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675; or the St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School, 33 Cross St., Hyannis, MA 02601. The family sends their sincere appreciation to both the loving faculty and students at St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School and to the dedicated and caring staff at Beacon Hospice who brought comfort to Bill in his time of need. Thank you to all of Bill's many friends for their loving support.

Website & Guest book: www.milesfuneralhome.com