Bill Duke

Bill Duke now knows peace and in heaven has been freed from the paralysis of Alzheimer's disease. Bill died on Thursday, April 16, 2015 after a long and valiant struggle with the dreaded disease too many have been affected by in life. While the disease may have robbed him of his memory and a long life in his heart he knew it never stole the love and devotion of his family and friends. William E. Duke Sr. was born on July 17, 1944 in Worcester a son of the late Francis and Margaret (Melia) Duke. He was a graduate of St. John's High School with the class of 1962. He graduated from Boston State Teachers College and earned his master's degree in education from Worcester State College. He married his 8th grade sweetheart, Maureen E. Kelley on May 18, 1968 in Saint Mary's Church. He honorably served his country in the United States Navy. Much of his professional career was with the Massachusetts State Police. As a trooper he was assigned to barracks in Andover, Concord and Northampton. He then spent 10 years as a specialist in the Ballistics Unit at 1010 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston and was awarded the Meritorious Service Award. He achieved the rank of Major in 1989. He loved his work on the force and the friendships he developed with his brother troopers. In 1991, Bill retired from the Massachusetts State Police and assumed a position as a special investigator with Hanover Insurance Company. At various points he also taught criminal justice at Anna Maria College and Quinsigamond Community College. In 2000, he and Maureen began a new chapter on Cape Cod where they called Dennis home for over 13 years. The beauty of God's holy acre, 'Cape Cod' enabled Bill to enjoy a slower pace in life, the beauty of the ocean and the fun of a good round of golf. Bill Duke kept his head down for only two reasons: to pray and play golf! He was a member of the Dennis Highlands and Dennis Pines on Cape Cod. Diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2011 and Lewy Body Disease, it eventually brought him home to his native Shrewsbury to be closer to family and friends and more attention to his health. The family would like to thank the 3rd floor staff at St. Mary Health Care Center of Worcester for the kindness, care, compassion and comfort provided to Bill and his family over the past eight months. In heaven, we trust Bill has met God and been rejoined with his parents and sister, Margaret 'Peggy' Duke. Forever remembering his love is his wife of 46 years, Maureen; his children, Patricia A. 'Tricia' Gianni and her husband, Robert of Hingham and William E. Duke and his wife, Michelle of Shrewsbury; his grandchildren, Matthew, Catherine, Olivia and Emily Gianni and Patrick, Madeline and Peyton Duke; his siblings, John Duke and his wife, Frances of West Harwich, Francis Duke (Ret. Capt. MSP) and his wife, Jessica of Lenox and Sr. Mary Duke S.N.D. of Brighton and Thomas Duke and his wife, Roberta of Holden; his in-laws, Donald and Kathleen Kelley of Worcester, Dennis and Diana Kelley of New Bedford, Timothy and Diane Kelley of Shrewsbury and Justin and Robin Kelley of Hebron, Connecticut; nieces and nephews; close life-long friend, Fran Holloway of Shrewsbury and relative, Sharon Welsh of Worcester. Family and friends will honor and remember Bill's life by gathering for calling hours at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center on Monday, April 20th 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m. before leaving in procession to Saint Mary's Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Memorials in Bill's name may be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Rd., S.W., Lilburn, Georgia 30047.