WEST BOYLSTON-William S. Italiano, 99, of West Boylston, passed away peacefully Friday January 7th at Notre Dame Long Term Care Center in Worcester.
William is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joan (Nylen) Italiano, a son William S. Italiano, Jr of Worcester and a daughter Michele (Italiano) Perla, her husband Frank and their children Rachele and Bryan all of West Boylston. He also leaves many nieces and nephews both here and in Italy.
Four sisters, Concetta Fusco of Sparanise, Italy; Anna Merola, Camilla Italiano, and Attorney Mary Italiano all of Worcester; and two brothers; Armando Robert Italiano of Worcester and Guido Italiano of North Grafton predeceased him.
William was born in Sparanise, Italy. His parents were the late Pasquale and Michelina (DeRosa) Italiano. William and his family came to Worcester when he was one year old. He attended Belmont School and then Commerce High School, graduating in the Class of 1931-B after 3 1/2 years. During those years he was a member of the Blackfriars Dramatic Society, a violinist in Orchestra A and President of his Class for three consecutive years.
In 1935, he graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration specializing in Commercial Education. During that time, he was on the Wrestling Team, a member of the Cosmopolitan Club, the Italian Club and the Tennis Club. He was also a member of Alpha Phi Delta. He continued at Boston University and completed his MBA in 1937.
He began teaching in the Worcester Public Schools in 1937 at Commerce High School. In 1942, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps and was the recipient of the American Theater and Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbons, the Good Conduct and Victory Medals. After he was discharged in 1946 he returned to teaching. In addition to teaching he served as the Principal of the Worcester Evening High School from the 1960’s until 1972. In 1985, he retired from North High School after 45 years of teaching.
William worked his entire life as a carpenter and owner of WSI Construction Co. He was a member of numerous clubs and organizations. For 62 years he belonged to The Sodality of Our Lady. In 1999, on his 50th year anniversary in the Sodality, he received an Apostolic Blessing from Pope John Paul II. He was also a member the American Legion Eastside Post 201, a lifetime member of the VFW, a founding member of the former ITAM Club and a Charter Member of the West Boylston Lions Club.
William loved his lifetime of teaching, carpentry, travel and time with family and friends. His spirit, his smile and his fun-filled personality touched everyone he met. The family would like to thank the staff and residents of The Notre Dame Long Term Care Facility for creating an environment that allowed William to live his final years in keeping with the way he lived his entire life: fun-filled and surrounded by warm and compassionate people.
A Funeral will be held Tuesday, January 11 from FAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 1 West Boylston St. with a Mass at 10:00 in Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 111 Worcester St. Burial will be in Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Visiting hours are Monday, January 10th from 4-7 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Maffei Capuano Italiano Scholarship Fund at Our Lady Of Mt Carmel-St.Ann Church, 24 Mulberry St. Worcester, 01605. To place an 0n-line condolence, please visit www.faybrothers.com