WILLIAM JOHN CARMICHAEL Sr.

CARMICHAEL, William John Sr. "Bill" Died at his home in Canton of 60 years Wednesday, November 28, two days short of his 91st birthday. He was predeceased by his wife of 45 years Phyllis Morgan and his granddaughter Kristin. They leave three children; Thomas A. and wife Beverly of Windham, VT, William J. and wife, Kathryn of Rehoboth, MA, and Lynn Kudley of Beaver Dam, VA, five grandchildren, one great grandson and numerous nieces and nephews. Bill was one of twelve siblings and is survived by his brother Robert. Bill served during WWII in the U.S. Navy Amphibious Forces in Africa, Sicily and Italy receiving several commendations including the Presidential Citation. He was honorably discharged in 1945. In 1945, married with one child, Bill enrolled at Boston University as a Physical Education major in an accelerated program. He played varsity football, baseball, was a member of the gymnastics team and gave private boxing lessons. Bill graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science and attained his Master of Education in 1958. While still in college, and the father of a second son, he was appointed Director of Recreation for the town of Hull serving from 1947 to 1953. Bill taught and coached three sports at the Capen Junior High School in Dedham from 1948-1953 while continuing work fulltime in Hull. His daughter Lynn was born in 1954. In 1953 Bill was appointed Assistant Superintendent at the Industrial School for Crippled Children in Boston becoming Superintendent in 1955. Here Bill found his true passion in life. The school has been renamed the Cotting School and relocated to a new campus in Lexington and celebrated its 100th year of service in 1993. The Cotting School was the first school of its kind in North America. It is a private day school, which provides speech, physical and occupational therapy, twelve years of education, vocational education, and dental and vision care. Under Bill's leadership, the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory of MIT introduced the first computer training program (LOGO) for children with disabilities in the country. With the help of the SCUBA divers of New England (SEAMARK) and the N.E. College of Optometry, the first complete school vision clinic in the country for children with disabilities was installed at the school. During Bill's tenure, under the guidance of the N.E. Council of Graphic Arts, and other charitable agencies, the most modern computerized off-set graphic arts program, science and math lab, culinary arts, electronics training lab and computerized industrial arts program were created at the school. The school is noted for its Music, Drama, Art and extensive Therapy programs. During his thirty-one years at the school, the budget showed no "pink ink". During this time, Bill was a member of the Boston Rotary Club, Headmasters Association, Crotched Mountain Foundation, United Cerebral Palsy and several rehabilitation organizations. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Canton Cooperative Bank until his death. He was also a member of the Boston Sea Rovers. Bill received citations from Gov. Dukakis, House of Representatives, State Senate, Secretary of State and several health and human service organizations for his work with children with disabilities. In 1984, Bill received honorary degrees of Doctor of Humane Letters from the N.E. College of Optometry and Boston University. Following his retirement in 1984, Bill worked briefly for the Boston Globe Foundation and volunteered at the United Way and at Norwood Hospital. Bill had a great zest for life and filled his many years pursuing all sorts of hobbies and interests. Bill was a private pilot, a scuba diver until age 80 and a world traveler. He buddy-jumped from 10,000 feet to celebrate his 74th birthday. He enjoyed skiing, hunting, fishing and golfing. In his later years at home he could be found reading or working on the latest crossword puzzle. Asked to describe himself, Bill said he was first and foremost a teacher with many talented friends. If it is true that the measure of a man's life can be found in the lives he has touched, Bill truly lived a full, rich and meaningful life. Service will be private and there will be a memorial service at a later date. Contributions may be made in his memory to the Cotting School, 453 Concord Ave., Lexington, MA 02173. Arrangements under the direction of Cartwright Funeral Home, 419 No. Main Street, RANDOLPH, MA 02368. For additional information, directions or to leave a sympathy message for the familyvisit www.cartwrightfuneral.com