William Robert March

William Robert March, architect and longtime resident of the Newburyport area, passed away on February 26, 2025, at 79 years old.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Susan O'Hara; his children, Sally Gallo, Ariel Bordeaux, Clifford Bordeaux, Jasper March, and Lily Dymant; his sister, Jean O'Malley and family of Ohio; his brother, David March and family of Georgia; and his beloved grandchildren, Joe, Cece, James, Rose, Eddie, Robbie, Wiley, and Ada.

Bill was born on November 23, 1945, in Cleveland and grew up in Euclid, Ohio, the eldest of John and Jane March's three children. He graduated from Euclid High School in 1963, where he played tuba in the marching band. In 1967, he earned a degree in History from Case Western Reserve University. Bill then headed east to Cambridge, MA, where he received a Master's in Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design in 1977. He worked for several architectural firms in Boston and the North Shore before establishing his own practice in Newburyport.

His notable designs include the Newburyport Bank on Storey Avenue, the former George Peabody Cooperative Bank on Low Street, and the covered bridge at the Governor's Academy in Byfield. Bill also collaborated on the renovation of St. Patrick's Convent in Lawrence with Habitat for Humanity. Throughout his career, he thoughtfully designed dozens of homes, additions, and renovations, always staying true to the architectural character and history of New England.

Bill was a diehard Red Sox fan, an unwavering loyalty that began when he moved to Massachuestts. From the infamous ground ball through Bill Buckner's legs to the joy of four World Series Championships, he remained steadfast.

He was also an avid genealogist, passionate about preserving the stories of past generations. In 2013, he traveled to Dorset in southwest England to continue his research, where he met and formed lasting friendships with descendants of the March family who had stayed behind when his grandfather's family emigrated to Ohio.

Bill had a true appreciation for craftsmanship and tradition, something that shone through in his love for wooden boats and boatbuilding. For many years, he made an annual pilgrimage to the WoodenBoat Show. His passion for the craft was mirrored in his architectural work, where his keen eye for historical detail and preservation shaped every project he touched.

A humble purveyor of knowledge, Bill always had an answer for you. If you had a question, he was the one to ask, and 97% of the time, he'd know the answer-though he'd likely scoff at that 97% figure.

Bill was a good man, and he will be remembered with love and fondness for his quiet intelligence, gentle nature, brilliant creative mind, and a sense of humor that often caught you by surprise-making each quip that much better.

Memorial donations may be made to The Apprenticeshop in Rockland, ME, a community dedicated to preserving traditional boatbuilding and seamanship. Donations can be made online at www.apprenticeshop.org/donate.

A celebration of Bill's life will take place in the summer, with details to come.