William P. Fennell

William (Bill) Peter Fennell, born on October 2, 1939, passed away at 82, peacefully at home in the loving arms of his wife Vera and his two daughters, Denise and Sharon, after a fierce and courageous battle with Lung Cancer on April 7, 2022. Bill was passionate, determined, and unwavering in his pursuit to provide his family with a better life than he had as a child. Bill had an instinctual resilience for hard work, a zeal for information, and innate knowledge of engineering. He was wise at a young age and knew The United States Marine Corp could offer him expertise and opportunities that would broaden his horizons. Bill left high school, enlisted in the Marine Corps, and remained a strong and proud Marine until his last breath. He lived wholeheartedly by the code; Honor, Courage, and Commitment in every stage of his life, most evident in his final days, "Semper Fideles"!

Bill was honorably discharged from his service and returned home to Cambridge, MA. His desire to obtain his diploma required him to return to High School, where he proudly graduated as a young adult. Intern, offering him the opportunity to instill the importance of education and perseverance in your passion to his family in the future. Bill continued his education by taking night classes at MIT while working two jobs.

Severe fatigue and exhaustion landed him in the emergency room of Cambridge City Hospital. He was smitten' with his ER nurse Vera Francis DiLuzio. Bill's charm, charisma, and irrepressible humor were infectious, and their love story began. The boy from Central Square and the girl from Newton Corner started their life of endless adventures and were married on June 5, 1965. Over their 57 years of marriage, Bill's dream of having a beautiful, loving, and cared-for family has become his most incredible legacy. His drive and determination, generosity, and kindness knew no bounds. He was a loyal friend, mentor, and confidant to all he knew—beginning in the early days in The Cambridge Caballero's Drum Corps to his later years at the Nanny Cay Marina in the British Virgin Islands. 

His most significant accomplishments began in 1978 when he established The William P. Fennell Co., an industrial metals business; supplying, building, and repairing machinery up and down the North East Coast. Bill loved to travel his ability to map out any geographic location was unmatched. In 1996 he purchased his first property in York, Maine; in 2019, he sold that property and purchased for Vera the home of her dreams again in York Beach, Maine. That door has remained open to family and friends for 23 years; Bill's passion and integrity for those he loved were unwavering. Spending time surrounded by his favorite people is what brought him his greatest life joys. Bill was an avid sailor and methodical Captain. In 2000 he purchased his sailboat "The Caballero," a 46 ft. Bavarian set sail in the British Virgin Islands, welcoming friends and family aboard to enjoy that Paradise Bill called home for four months every year, achieving his lifelong dream. Bill was not just a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, an uncle, a friend; he was everyone's "Bucka"! We believe a close family member summed it up best; "Bill is now on a sailboat, somewhere with God, and there is no need for navigation, for the trip will never end."

William (Bill) Fennell is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Vera F. (Diluzio) Fennell. Daughters Sharon Carrieri, her husband Massimo of Newton, Denise Marie Christina Fennell Pasqualone, and her husband Richard of Los Angeles, CA. Dear brother of Daniel Fennell, Katherine "Kay" Coughlin, Richard Fennell, and the late John Fennell and Patricia MacDonald. Loving grandfather of Rocco and Massimo Carrieri and Anthony and Isabella Pasqualone. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his beloved and chosen family of the "02458" neighborhood.

Funeral services are from the MacDonald Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home at 270 Main St., WATERTOWN, Wednesday, April 13, at 9:30 AM, followed by Funeral Mass in Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, 573 Washington St., Newton, at 10:30 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting Hours Tuesday 4-8 PM. Interment Newton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bill's name may be made to Disabled American Veterans, State House Room 546, Boston, MA 02133.

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