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William B. Hosmer

1937 - 2018

William B. Hosmer obituary, 1937-2018, Holliston, MA

William Hosmer Obituary

William Barry Hosmer passed away peacefully on January 2, 2018 at home surrounded by his family. Born in Boston on August 6, 1937, Bill was the son of the late Nathan Dale Hosmer and Mary Barry Hosmer. Bill spent his first ten years in Belmont, where he attended Mount Trinity Academy. The family then moved to Winchester, where Bill attended Winchester schools, graduating from Winchester High School in 1954. In August of 1954, Bill joined the United States Air Force and served four years, three in Fort Worth, Texas and one in Thule, Greenland. While in Texas, he earned a years college credit from Texas Christian University. The Air Force trained Bill as a medic, a skill he used in civilian life as an ER/OR Technician at Winchester Hospital from 1958 | 1972. He worked a nearly full-time schedule while he pursued a B.A. and an M.Ed from Boston University, earning degrees in 1963 and 1967. Bill married Mary Lois Sullivan in 1963. They shared fifty-four blessed years together. He is survived by Lois, their daughters, Mary Hosmer Fanucci and her husband Jerry, of Lexington, and Sara Hosmer, of Roslindale, and his grandchildren, Abigail, Ben and Kristina Fanucci. He is also survived by his brother John R. Hosmer and his wife, Judy, of Charlotte, North Carolina, his brother-in-law, Timothy J. Sullivan and his wife, Mary, of Queensbury, New York, as well as many nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Bob, his brother-in-law, Bill Sullivan, and sister-in-law, Marcia Sullivan. In 1964, Bill began his career in education at Woburn High School as an English teacher. He became head of the English Department and introduced AP classes to the school. Bill taught at Woburn High School from 1964|1971. He took great pleasure in the many accomplishments of his Woburn students. During this time, he began studies to earn his Ed.D at Boston College, which he completed in 1977. In 1972 Bill became Assistant Principal at Hollistons Middle School and eventually Principal and Director of Elementary Education. He served the schools in Holliston from 1972 |1980. It was deeply satisfying for him to see many of his former students thriving as businessmen in their hometown. He had many lasting relationships with the wonderful faculty there. In 1980 Bill was named Superintendent of the Hopkinton Public Schools. Over a period of sixteen years, he oversaw many changes in every facet of the system. Bill established a close working relationship with EMC, and they generously provided the schools with financial help and technology advice and equipment. His years at Hopkinton provided many happy memories and relationships. While there, he attended student and community events of all kinds like sports, drama, music, and PTA fundraisers. He retired in 1996. After retirement from Hopkinton, Bill became the Director for Effective Instruction at Worcester State University. He retired in 2012 at the age of seventy-five. During this same period, he served as an adjunct professor for Framingham State Universitys International Schools Program. He made sixteen trips abroad to North, Central and South America as well as Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific. His wife, Lois, accompanied him on these trips and they also enjoyed traveling together to Ireland, Greece, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Bermuda, and many parts of the United States. He was a loving husband and father and the proudest Grandpa anywhere. Good memories will sustain the family as they miss his presence. Annual summer trips to Cape Cod, a family trip to Ireland, the Boston Pops at Christmas, birthday outings and so much more will forever recall his enthusiasm and dedication to his family. Bill enjoyed many friendships that took him out to breakfast, lunch, and golf. He was a devoted member of St. Marys, Holliston where he attended Mass regularly and was moved by the music of the choir and folk group. There will be two days of visitation; Saturday. January 6th from 6:00 | 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, January 7th from 3:00 | 7:00 p.m. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston, 854 Washington St. (Rt. 16) www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, January 8th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Marys Church of Holliston. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers remembrances in his name may be made to St. Marys church, 8 Church Street, Holliston, MA 01746 or to the Holliston Food Pantry, 73 Charles Street, Holliston.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by MetroWest Daily News on Jan. 4, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for William Hosmer

Sponsored by Chesmore Funeral Home - Holliston.

Not sure what to say?





January 16, 2019

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

Sydne Newberry

May 5, 2018

Sadly, I just learned of Mr. Hosmer's passing. Along with Nick Paleologos, I had the immense pleasure of being in Mr. Hosmer's 1970-1971 Advanced Placement English class. He was truly the kindest, most caring, most inspiring teacher I had during my four years of high school and, in retrospect, probably the most influential on my career path. Mr. Hosmer taught me how to write, but more importantly, he encouraged me to write about what I loved. The skills in and love for writing he instilled have sustained me through my years as a scientist and research communicator. My thoughts and prayers are with his family .

Joe Marashio

January 14, 2018

Bill was an outstanding man in every way. I had him for English my senior year 1968-69. Tremendous teacher and a great influence on my life. I came back to WHS as a teacher myself in 1976. Bill and his family will be in my prayers.

Betsy Ryer

January 11, 2018

Dear Mrs Hosmer and Family,

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy! I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing.

It was just a year ago that I met Mr Hosmer when he would come in to the Dana Farber. Even before I knew that he was my sister's neighbor and that he had a special bond with my nephew, I felt a connection with him. He was a true gentleman, and I will always remember him.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Gina Skurchak-Rossi

January 8, 2018

Neighbor, friend, mentor, I am grateful to have known Bill Hosmer. My deepest sympathies to Lois, Mary, and Sara.

Keith Sullivan

January 7, 2018

Dear Mrs. Hosmer and Family,
My thoughts are with you at this sad time. Mr. Hosmer was my Honors English teacher at Woburn High in 1970 to 1971.
He was a wonderful teacher, and a huge personal influence on me at that time. He treated us like adults. He shared so much with us, and opened so many doors.
We learned, and we had fun. Thank you, Mr. Hosmer - I wIll never forget you.

Nick Paleologos

January 4, 2018

It's not very often that news of the passing of a person you haven't seen or spoken to in decades, makes you pause and reflect on just how goddamn important great teachers are to the future of this country. And though he did so many other impressive things during a distinguished career, make no mistake about it -- Bill Hosmer was one helluva gifted teacher.

I had him for AP English at Woburn High School. His last year as a teacher there, was the year I graduated. 1971. Looking back I guess I now understand why he moved on to become Assistant Principal in Holliston. Smart guy. Young family. Kids gotta eat. Mortgage won't wait. College ain't cheap. I get it. I do. More now than ever before.

Still, shame on us for not figuring out a career path that would have allowed a guy like Mr. Hosmer, an extraordinarily talented teacher, to remain in the classroom. But hey, Woburn's loss was Holliston's (and ultimately Hopkington's) gain.

All I know is that I consider it one of the great privileges of my life to have been one of the lucky kids in Hosmer's class during those Salad Days at Woburn High School when this endlessly affable, self-effacing, profoundly influential educator, was just starting out his career of changing lives like mine - one class at a time...

John Durkin

January 4, 2018

Bill was a great educator and a special friend. He was a professional at all times.
He will be missed by all.
John Durkin

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Memorial Events
for William Hosmer

Jan

6

Visitation

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Chesmore Funeral Home - Holliston

854 Washington St, Holliston, MA 01746

Jan

7

Visitation

3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Chesmore Funeral Home - Holliston

854 Washington St, Holliston, MA 01746

Jan

8

Funeral Mass

11:00 a.m.

St. Mary's Church of Holliston

MA

Jan

8

Burial

the parish cemetery

MA

Funeral services provided by:

Chesmore Funeral Home - Holliston

854 Washington St, Holliston, MA 01746

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