Rev. Dr. Arthur “Bill” Mahlon Comeau

Rev. Dr. Arthur Mahlon "Bill" Comeau, of Cranston passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at Hope Health Hospice, Providence. Bill was born in Haverhill, MA on July 23, 1938. He was the son of the late Arthur and Dorothy (Currier) Comeau.
Bill graduated from Haverhill High and received a bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire. He worked at advertising agencies in New York City, Boston and Providence, where he specialized in public service campaigns. While working as Creative Director at Creamer, Inc. in Providence Bill wrote the song "The Biggest Little State in the Union" for the State of Rhode Island. In 1985, he was named The Advertising Person of the Year by the Rhode Island Ad Club.
While at Creamer, he also met Joanne (Hadfield) Comeau, his wife of 44 years.

In addition to a successful career in advertising, Bill felt a calling to the ministry at mid-life. He attended the Bangor Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Theological School and was ordained a Minister in the United Church of Christ. He accepted a position as Senior Pastor at the United Church of Assonet in Assonet MA in 2000 where he served for 12 years. He would later earn his Doctor of Ministry from the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL.
Inspired and propelled by his spiritual beliefs, Bill excelled in the arts, lending tremendous creativity into all aspects of his ministry. Musically, Bill performed with several professional bands including the Incredible Broadside Brass Bed Band, and the Gloryland Parson Band. He was a multiple Grammy nominee for his children's recordings.
Bill was the author of over a thousand published poems as well as both musical and dramatic plays. He published fiction and non-fiction alike, notably "The Art of Creative Coping" which became a favorite class for students at Bristol Community College, where he taught after his retirement from ministry.
As a painter, he worked in both pastels and oils, creating more than a thousand works; and as a collector, he curated a large number of Corita originals and limited prints.
He was the 2008 Freetown "Man of the Year," recognized for his work on the town's 325th Anniversary Committee. The local newspaper, Southcoast Today, dubbed him "a real Renaissance Man."
Besides his wife, Bill is survived by four children. Jeanne Murphy (Carmen), of Dartmouth MA; Catherine Bonas (Thomas) of Rehoboth, MA; Daniel Comeau (Jacqui) of Waterbury, VT; and Elizabeth Comeau of Saco, ME; also by 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; his many dear colleagues and friends. He was predeceased by his son, Arthur J. Comeau; and by his beloved super-sized beagle, Willy.

His visitation will take place on Thursday, February 19, 2026 from 10:00 until 11:00 AM in the Woodridge Congregational Church, 546 Budlong Rd, Cranston, with a Celebration of Life Service to begin at 11:00 AM.

Donations in Bill's memory may be made to: Cranston Adult Day Services, 1070 Cranston St. Cranston, RI 02920; or Woodridge United Church of Christ, 546 Budlong Road, Cranston, RI 02920.

Please share memories and condolences at www.WoodlawnRI.com