Obituary of William Frances Daley

William F. Daley, a retired New England Telephone employee passed away on his terms and with a broken heart on Sunday, July 16, 2023. He was 93 years old. Bill’s beloved wife and soulmate, Joan, had passed away in January of this year. Joan and Bill had a wonderful marriage. They enjoyed bowling together, nights out dancing, playing cards with friends, traveling the world, and spending their winters in Fort Myers and Vero Beach Florida. They were very involved in a non-profit “Friends of Pepperell Seniors,” an organization that planned trips and fun things for seniors to do. Joan was the secretary of the organization and Bill the president for several years. In 2004 they moved to Hollis, NH to be close to their daughter Eileen and help care for their autistic grandchild Matthew. All of their grandchildren brought them immense joy and happiness.

Bill grew up in South Boston. The Bulger family lived two doors down. He spent summers in Manchester by the Sea with his aunt, uncle and five cousins. He became the “Big Brother” of the group. During the summers he worked as a caddie at a Gloucester Country Club where he had the opportunity to meet a number of notable members including the Carnegies. During his teenage years he worked at Fenway Park. After high school, he enlisted in the Navy and served during the Korean War. He served four years as an aviation mechanic at the Naval Test and Development station in Chincoteague, Virginia. His squadron worked on the first Drone Controller/Guided Missile projects: Through the years he kept in touch with his squadron group. He helped organize reunions every couple of years until many in the group couldn’t travel or had passed.

Bill left the service knowing he wanted to get married and have a family. He met his future wife, Joan Strong, through a group of friends. He told everyone that he was going to marry that girl. They married in 1958, lived in Medford briefly before settling in Burlington to raise their two children. He was active at St. Margaret’s Church where he was an usher and sang in the choir. Bill was a member of the Burlington Knights of Columbus as well. He was an avid golfer into his 90’s. He played in a number of leagues over the years and enjoyed participating in numerous charity tournaments. He was fortunate to have had not one, but two “Hole in Ones”. He also had the patience to play correspondence chess with a couple dozen people across the United States.

Bill’s entire career was spent with the telephone company in New England. He began as a splicer’s helper then became a journeyman splicer, foreman, and ended as an engineer. He took night classes at Northeastern to help further his career. He finished his career with the original team of engineers working on the “Big Dig”. After retiring he spent a short time as a consultant for AT&T in New York City.

Losing Bill so quickly after his wife’s passing has been difficult for his family. He loved all his family but was looking forward to being once again reunited with his beloved wife, Joan, who he missed terribly. Bill will be remembered for his analytical approach to life, quick wit, and crazy sense of humor. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone needing assistance and was utterly devoted to family. Bill’s motto was “It’s better to wear out than rust out”.

Bill was the beloved husband of the late Joan (Strong) Daley. He was the loving father of Eileen Augustus & her husband Donald of Pepperell and Michael Daley & his wife Andria of Wilmington. He was predeceased by his sister, Frances Sheilds. Bill was the extremely proud and caring grandfather of Katelyn, Michael, & Shannon Daley and Sara Augustus & her partner Tyrell Skinner and Matthew Augustus. He was the great grandfather of Brynn Skinner.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Wednesday, August 2 from 4-7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Margaret Church in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronica.org, 111 Winn St., Burlington Thursday, August 3 at 10am. Services will conclude with an Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington.

Memorials in Bill’s name may be made to the Friends of the Pepperell Senior Center, P.O. Box 1555, Pepperell, MA. 01463.

For on-line guestbook and video tribute, see sullivanfuneralhome.net