Rev. William L. Wolkovich

William Wolkovich Obituary

75, died Wednesday morning at the Marlborough Hospital after a long illness. He was born in Hudson, the son of the late Ludvik and Helen (Zukauskas) Wolkovich. He was a graduate of St. Michael's Grammar School Class of 1942 and Hudson High School Class of 1946. He attended St. John Seminary in Brighton and was ordained on Sept. 29, 1953 at the Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston. In his many years as a priest he served parishes in Lynn, Brockton, Needham, Marlborough, Ayer, West Groton and Norwood. His last assignment was in Norwood at St. George's Lithuanian Parish. He had a love of music and a passion for Catholic history. He gave over 300 one man performances of comedy, voice and violin. He was a member of the Cambridge Civic Symphony and appeared with world renowned cellist Rostropovich. Father Wolkovich was part of a chamber trio with Izidorius and Vytenis Vasyliunas. His novel experience was baptizing an infant in Lithuania in 1991 for the Hollywood movie "Once Around". He specialized in immigration and ethnicity, writing over fifty articles, and thirty book reviews and authored a three volume compendium, Lithuanian Religious Life in America. In 1997, he was awarded the Order of Gediminas by the Republic of Lithuania, for his lifelong contributions in history and music. He is survived by 1 brother: Adam Wolkovich and his wife Kathleen of Marlborough, 1 nephew; John Wolkovich, 6 nieces; Mary Keville, Kathleen Wiedeman, Ellen Allen, Christine Jason, Nancy Atchue, Cynthia Wright, 16 great nieces and nephews. A concelebrated Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in St. Michael's Church, Manning St., Hudson. Burial will follow in St. Michael's Cemetery. His body will lie in state at St. Michael's Church, Hudson on Friday from 4-8 p.m. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Lithuanian Catholic Religious Aid, 64-25 Perry Ave, Maspeth, NY 11378- 2441 or the Fr. Bill Wolkovich Scholarship Fund c/o Spirit of St. George Foundation, P.O. Box 62, Norwood MA 02062. Arrangements are under the direction of the Merrill-Carleton Funeral Home, HUDSON.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe on Jan. 13, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for William Wolkovich

13 Entries

Mary Mary

January 7, 2020

So sad to read about Fr. Bill. What a extraordinary, kind, gentle, giving, sweet, wonderful man. I will never forget he would play his violin for seniors who were sick at the Norwood Hospital. No matter how busy he was, he always made the time to greet the sick. Sometimes after mass he and I would chat for hours about God and talk about how there were too many homeless women and children on our earth. Thank you Fr. Bill for all you have done for so many people with your kindess, and most sincere compassion. You epitomized what a priest/reverend/good Christian was and should always be.
See you on the otherside.

Thomas Michalski

January 15, 2005

Garbe Jezui Kristui (Praised be Jesus Christ).

How you shall be missed friend and colleague. A+A (Eternal + Rest)

"Tomuoszius!" (Thomas)-your servant in Christ, & Family

"ECCE SACERDOS MAGNUS" - "Behold a great priest!"SUDIEV- Per Amzius - Amen!" (Be with God, through the ages!)

Beth Vallee

January 14, 2005

Father Bill was an extraordinary man. The love shown towards our mother and our family will never be forgotten. He came to her apartment and took my mother, who was totally housebound, into the catholic church when she was eighty years old. This brought her great joy. On the afternoon of his last Sunday at St. George, June 13th, knowing that my mother was quite ill and knowing that after he moved out of the area he would not be able to come, he made time to come visit her. I could not believe he made time for her on that day of all days, especially when getting around was such a physical challenge for him. In complete peace, she died six days later. Her friend Mary says my mom, Suzie, was waiting at the gates of Heaven to meet him and welcome him and that they are together making beautiful music and dancing without pain and handicap. We will always cherish the memories we have of Father Bill.

Laurie and Peter Varitimos

January 14, 2005

Fr Bill was a very Special Man, and our family and everyone will miss him dearly. God Bless You.

Antonio Varitimos

January 14, 2005

I am 7 years old and I love how you did the Communion and all the masses in my life. I will miss you.Please say Hi to Nana. I hope you have a wonderful time .Love Antonio

Melisa Varitimos

January 14, 2005

I am 10 years old & I LOVE FATRER BILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pauline & Jim MacKinnon

January 13, 2005

May we extend our deepest condolences to Fr. Bill's family and friends.

We have been truly blessed to be the beneficiaries of Fr. Bill's spiritual guidance and friendship during our most critical times of need. His amazing capacity to illustrate powerful lessons of the Bible by finding some common link or parallel with which we could identify - the sweet sounds of his violin - his beautiful singing - his warm hug and unfailing humor are etched in our memories forever and are part of the wonderful legacy with which he's blessed us.

We know you are in God's perfect care, Fr. Bill.

Mary Joyce Nagins

January 13, 2005

I would like to extend my condolences to the Wolkovich family.

Father bill was truly an amazing man, with an amazing soul, and incredible spirit. Thank you father Bill for everything you believed in and represented, for your profound faith and your amazing capacity to share your love and guidance. Thank you for your inspiration and words of encouragement, and most of all for all those times we all enjoyed your violin playing. We will all miss you more than you could ever know. We will always keep you in our hearts and your spirit alive forever.

Mary Joyce Nagins

Weld Ave, Norwood

Steve Callahan

January 13, 2005

As the gates of heaven open, may the hearts of Saints and Angels overflow with joy as our beloved Father Bill takes his rightful place in his new home of eternal peace, health and happiness.

Our eternal love and admiration..

Steve, Sue Stephie and Shaun Callahan

Mary & John O'Brien

January 13, 2005

We extend our sincere sympathy to the family of Fr. Bill. He was a wonderful, warm, caring pastor to all of the family of St. George, Norwood. We were so very fortunate to have known him and appreciate all he did for us while at St. George.

Sincerely, Mary & John O'Brien

Pauline Slopek

January 13, 2005

Father Bill wll be sorely missed by all of us but especially the Pieta group he so loving guided and supported for 20 years.

His guidance to all the "moms and dads" who had lost either one or many children through death will never be forgotten.

You will always be in our hearts.

Give our children a hug and kiss for us. You know them all by name.

Pauline & Henry Slopek

Michael T. McIver

January 13, 2005

January 13th, 2004

I would like to extend my condolences to the Wolkovich Family, I met Fr. Bill through his friend and brother priest the late Rev Daniel J. Barrett. Fr Bill was a great priest and a dear friend he will be missed until we all meet again in glory.

Sincerely,

Michael T. McIver

8294 Ibis Cove Circle

Naples, FL 34119

Dolores Sheehan

January 13, 2005

Thank you Fr. Bill for being our strengh in hard times, for sharing our laughter in good times, and for

showing us by your example, how to truly be children of God. May we keep your spirit alive in all we do.

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results