Obituary of William Gerald Boudreau, Jr.

William G. “Bill” Boudreau, Jr. retired Assistant Director of the Burlington Recreation Department, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 9, 2023.  He was 91 years old.  Bill was born in Cambridge.  He was one of three children born to William and Rose Boudreau.  He grew up in Somerville, Medford, and Cambridge.  He graduated from Rindge Technical School where he excelled in sports.  He was the quarterback of his football team, member of the basketball team, and star pitcher on the baseball team.  He would further his education at Northeastern University where he played basketball. 

Bill was inducted into the Navy to serve during the Korean War.  He was attached to Seabees, MCB-6, in Davisville, Rhode Island.  He held the rank of Pipefitter Petty Officer Third Class and was the recipient of the Korean Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.  He applied many of the skills (construction, planning, management) learned in the military to his careers and life that followed.

Bill first worked as a printer for Wolfe Composition.  He did that for many years before switching to a career in recreation.  He was first introduced to recreation as a camp counselor teaching youths swimming, archery, and a host of other life skills. So, taking the newly created position of Assistant Director at the Burlington Recreation Department in 1979 was something right up his wheelhouse.  In the years previous, he had volunteered his time to help with events and activities at the Recreation Department and knew recreation would be a much more fulfilling career.  He loved creating activities and programs for children, adults, and seniors. Alongside his Director, Don Roberts, Bill contributed enormously to the growth and development of the Burlington Recreation Department over his 3 decades of service to the community.  They made Burlington very well respected by other Massachusetts Recreation Departments for the many offerings and the professionalism offered to the community.  Overtime, the department went from offering 20 programs to 200 programs.  Bill had the opportunity to introduce and expand on so many events in the town that are still being offered:  adult softball, concerts and movies on the common, trips, the ski program, afterschool bowling, roller-skating, Camp Simonds, and his favorite “Pride Day” which is now called “Celebrate Burlington”.  He started the event as the Muscular Dystrophy Carnival and every year it just got bigger and better.  Residents would recognize him at events with his trademark cowboy hat.  Bill loved his years with the Recreation Department and the Town of Burlington, and all its residents were the benefactors of all Bill’s hard work, ingenuity, and passion.   He was recognized as the Outstanding Citizen during the Fourth of July Parade in 1981 and the Recreation Department Hall of Fame.  

Bill was a person that was always “all in.”  He was a longtime member of St. Margaret’s Church and attended daily mass during his retirement years.  He was a Eucharistic minister, lector, and an original member of the church’s folk group.  He continued playing sports well into his 70’s.  He was a member of Jack’s Esso Fast Pitch Softball team where he was their pitcher and Jack’s Esso adult basketball team.  He played lunch time basket at the Recreation Department well into his 70’s.  He worked out regularly for many years at the Burlington Marriott using their weight room and pool.  In recent years, Bill was a member of Life Time Fitness where he worked out, swam, and did a bit of socializing.

Bill was a man devoted to his family.  He and his wife Doris shared 58 years of marital bliss.  Their first date was a Celtics game, and the love story went on from there.  As a father, he was a teacher, a mentor, and the fun coordinator.  He made sure his children experienced a little bit of everything.  From family vacations spent at Newfound Lake, Old Orchard Beach, York Beach, Maine, Rye, NH, and Cape Cod to teaching everyone to ski, swim, and dive.  Bill documented it all as the family videographer.  Bill was the parent that taught them how to be creative, appreciate the world and opportunities around them, and have strong values and morals.  How many parents would or could build their kids a go-kart made from lawnmower and bicycle parts? Bill and Doris gave their children a very well-rounded childhood and foundation to build upon as adults.  Nothing made Bill happier than when he was sharing time with family. 

Burlington has lost a very special man in Bill Boudreau.  His fingerprints and influence are seen all over the town, especially around the common, parks, and athletic facilities.  When the holiday lights are lit at the common, the crowds gathering around the gazebo on a summer night, and children playing at the parks, give a little nod to the works of Bill Boudreau.

Bill was the beloved husband of the late Doris M. (Benson) Boudreau.  He was the loving father of Denise Scutellaro & her husband Louis of N. Andover, MA, Susan Jorgenson & her husband Jon of Portola Valley, CA, William Boudreau, III of Burlington, MA, Kenneth Boudreau & his wife Ali of Hancock, MA, Scott Boudreau of Bedford, MA, and Amy Boudreau of Whangarei, New Zealand.  He was the brother of the late Janet Marlatt and Thomas Boudreau. Bill was the proud grandfather of Nicolas Scutellaro, Ethan Jorgenson, Alexandra, Marcel, Danielle, and Jonathan Boudreau, Ben Rogensky, Ward William Weyhrauch and great grandfather of Sophia, Estella, and Lilo. 

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home on Friday, July 14 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Saturday, July 15 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret Church in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn Street, Burlington at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with a burial in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington.  Memorials in Bill’s name may be made to People Helping People, www.peoplehelpingpeopleinc.org, P.O. Box 343, Burlington, MA 01803.