WILLIAM J. "BILL" HARTE

HARTE, William J. "Bill" Age 86, a resident of Tyngsboro, formerly of Chelmsford, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 11, 2024, surrounded by a large group of his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Patricia R. (MacEachern) Harte with whom he shared 63 years of marriage. He was born in Somerville in 1937 and was the eldest child of the late Cornelius and Catherine (Murphy) Harte, both from County Cork, Ireland. Bill graduated from Saint Clement School and from Bentley with a degree in accounting. He served in the Army National Guard in the early 60s. Bill worked at Paine Furniture, where in 1958 he met the love of his life, Pat (Patty, "Bride", "Red") MacEachern. They were each other's "My Special Angel", as they would play on the bus terminal jukebox. They married in 1960 and were always together, whether it was on their long walks from their new home in Chelmsford, trips to the White Mountains or on their more than three dozen cruises (it isn't even worth taking a cruise of less than 2 weeks!). Bill spent 38 years working at Itek, with roles including Director of Accounting. He made lifelong friends there, who would get together for game nights (which would continue through his life, with new groups of neighbors as well). They were blessed with eight children (including two sets of twins!) who were the focus and joy of his life. He was Papa to his 21 beloved grandchildren, and G-Papa to his four beloved great-grandchildren, tracing the sign of the cross on their forehead, whether in person or on their picture. Any visit would include at least a few dad jokes and a farewell handshake out the driver's window. He served as an usher for several decades at Saint Mary Parish, where the early Mass would often be followed by a Sunday drive. In retirement, Bill and Pat moved to Tyngsboro. His love of food was a constant, whether it was eating a Boston Cream donut, Pat's lasagna or bringing the family to Kimball's. He embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, strength of spirit and a strong devotion to his wife and family. Visiting Hours will be held on Fri., Jan. 19, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., CHELMSFORD. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Sat., Jan. 20, at 11 am, at St. Mary Parish, 25 North Rd., Chelmsford. Kindly gather at the church. Interment to follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Chelmsford. Memorial donations may be made in Bill's memory to March of Dimes at marchofdimes.org For directions and online condolences, please visit Chelmsfordfuneralhome.com

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