William David Poule

William David "Bill" Poule, of Mashpee and formerly of Dedham and Attleboro, passed away on August 6, 2024, following a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He is the beloved husband of Theresa A. (Gentile) Poule with whom he shared 57 memorable years of marriage.

Bill was born on December 24, 1937 to the late William N. Poule and the late Ruth (Fay) Poule in Boston, MA. He grew up in both Dorchester, and Quincy, and graduated from Archbishop Williams High School in 1955.

Following high school, Bill proudly served his country first as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, and later enlisting in the U.S. Air Force where he served 6 years as a medic. Upon his return from the service, Bill attended and graduated from the New England Institute of Sanitary Sciences and became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in 1964. In the same year, Bill met the love of his life, Theresa, who worked at the dentist's office next door to the funeral home he was employed at. The couple married in 1966 and started a family of their own. In 1976, Bill and Theresa purchased the Patrick J. Duffy Funeral Home, and Duffy-Poule Funeral Home was established. During his time as a funeral director and embalmer, Bill cared for families at their most vulnerable moments and brought them peace with his careful work. He also worked closely with his wife as co-owners, and as partners when Theresa also became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in 1984. Duffy-Poule Funeral Home served the Attleboro community for 15 years until Bill's retirement in 1991.

Following retirement, Bill and Theresa moved to Mattapoisett, then to Dedham in 1994, and most recently the couple settled in the Southport community in Mashpee in 2016 where Bill spent the remainder of his days. Though he was retired, Bill's ambition never wavered - following the advice of a close neighbor, Bill decided that at 60 years old he would go back to school and continue his education. Bill proudly attended UMass Boston, earning a bachelor's degree in anthropology in 2004. From there, he found a new calling as a substitute teacher at Dedham High School, a position he treasured for the remainder of his life. Bill was often referred to as "Papa" by students who overheard his granddaughter address him as such. He adored working with the kids and truly led with love and compassion at his core. As one of his students wrote in an application essay, "The legend of Bill Poule will never fade away ... his inspiration on the students of Dedham High will be forever".

Bill was known for his sharp wit and was forever a comedian - his family recalls that if he wasn't teasing you, he must be sleeping. Bill was an artist, he loved to paint and was also a passionate photographer, he could often be found with his camera around his neck ready for the perfect shot. He was constantly learning, he was an avid reader and loved a good documentary, he was particularly interested in biographies and history. He and Theresa loved to travel in their later years and went to many noteworthy destinations including Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, and Russia. Bill was also an animal lover, and the family had many family dogs over the years that lived long, spoiled lives. More than anything, Bill adored spending time with his family, particularly his five grandchildren. He is remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend and he will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Bill is survived by his wife Theresa Poule, of Mashpee, MA; his daughter Lisa Poule Maraget, of Raynham, MA, and daughter Kristen Burm, and her husband Jeff, of Hingham, MA; his grandchildren Alexandra Poule and Nikolas Poule, of Raynham, MA, Julia Burm, Alana Burm, and Brendan Burm, of Hingham, MA; his sister Janet Zawatski, of Milton, MA; his nieces Kathy Cadigan, and Michelle Zawatski; his nephews Stephen Zawatski, Matthew Zawatski, William Zawatski, and James Gentile; his sister-in-law Lorraine Gentile Haynes, and her husband Ric; his brother-in-law Louis Gentile, and his wife Rosemarie; and last but not least, his sweet dog Bella who was Bill's constant, loving companion.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the members of the Emergency Response Team of the Mashpee Fire and Rescue Department for their compassion and understanding the many times they assisted Bill at his home.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Chapman Funerals and Cremations, 74 Algonquin Ave. (Rte. 151), in Mashpee, MA. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Christ the King Church, 5 Jobs Fishing Rd., in Mashpee, MA.

For those unavailable to attend Bill's services in person, both the visitation and Funeral Mass will both be available to view via livestream: For the visitation livestream, please visit www.streampros.net/ccgMashpee, and for the Funeral Mass livestream, please visit www.christthekingparish.com/live-streaming.

Bill will be laid to rest on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 11:30 AM at Milton Cemetery with the help of his longtime friends at Dolan Funeral Home. Those attending are asked to meet at the cemetery gate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org OR to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or online at www.michaeljfox.org.

For online guestbook and information, please visit www.chapmanfuneral.com.