William H. "Bill" Carow Jr.

William H. "Bill" Carow Jr., 81, a retired Lt. for the Worcester Fire Department died peacefully Wednesday June 2, 2010 at home surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Suzanne H. (Curran) Carow; three daughters, Diane L. Westerlind of Worcester, Kathleen E. Piper of South Carolina, Liisa M. Shultz and her husband Paul of Oxford; three step sons, John M. McGillicuddy, Timothy P. McGillicuddy and his partner Tammy Jackson of Millbury with whom he lived, and Kevin M. McGillicuddy and his wife Marybeth of Worcester; his adopted daughter, Sheryl Morin and her husband Richard of Auburn; a sister, Emma Mae Carricchio of Auburn; fourteen grandchildren, and six great grandchildren; nephews and nieces.

William was born in Worcester son of the late William H. Carow Sr. and Lila M. (Nadeau) Carow, and lived in Worcester most of his life before moving to Millbury in 2007. He was also a resident of South Carolina for four years. "Bill" was a WWII veteran serving in the United States Marine Reserve, and also served in the Navy during the Korean War. William was a Worcester Firefighter for 32 years before he retired. Among his posts were the Grove Street Station Engine #3 and #14, and retired as a Lt. from the Greendale Station ladder #6 in 1992. He also worked several years for the Brinks Company, and the Carey Driving School.

William was a member of St Brigid Church, the Local #1009 Worcester Firefighters Union, and the Worcester Firefighters Relief Association, also the Oxford American Legion Post. "Bill" enjoyed gardening, being on the computer, and was quite the comedian. He always had a job to do and always delivered it, he loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor. He always had a new joke to tell and really enjoyed sharing them with his family and friends on the internet. He was dedicated to his family and made many personal sacrifices to be the best husband, and dad that he could be. Second only to his family, his greatest source of pride was his years spent as a Firefighter and U.S. Marine. And we will all fondly remember the insatiable "Sweet tooth" that he had. We all love you, we will dearly miss you and are comforted to know that you will be watching over us until the day that we meet again on the other side.

William's funeral will be held Monday June 7, from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. with a Mass of Christian burial at 10 AM in St. Brigid Church, 59 Main St. Calling hours in the funeral home will be from 3 PM to 7 PM on Sunday. Interment with Military honors will be in Rural Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Worcester Firemen's Relief Association, 141 Grove St., Worcester, Ma. 01605.