Obituaries

Robert P. Williams, 90 years young, of Hingham, formerly of Quincy and Braintree, died surrounded by his loving family, on Sunday, April 3, 2011. Born in Quincy, he was raised and educated in Braintree and raised his family in Quincy before moving to Hingham in 1984. He was a 1938 graduate of Braintree High where he was a class officer and legendary football player. Mr. Williams attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology before entering the Navy in WWII, during which he served as a submariner, reaching the rank of Chief, aboard the USS Pargo #264 in the Pacific Theater. When the US dropped the bomb, the submarine was in Nagasaki Harbor while being depth-charged and was able to sink the last Japanese destroyer of WWII. Mr. Williams remained active with annual reunions of submarine veterans which were held throughout the country and hosted several in Boston.

The former president of Williams Coal & Oil in Braintree which was founded by his father in 1919, Mr. Williams was also a master builder and craftsman. He was active in St. Joseph’s Parish in Quincy Point and enjoyed summers with his family at Merrymeeting Lake in NH.

Married for over 50 years to his beloved wife, the late Catherine (Duane) Williams, Mr. Williams was the loving father of Christina M. Eaton of Braintree, Robert P. Williams, Jr. of Houston, TX, Atty Thomas Williams of Norwell, Rosanne McHugh of Hull, Brian A. Williams of Hull, Daniel D. Williams of Hingham, Michael E. Williams of Marshfield, Kathleen W. Kafel of W. Bridgewater and the late Timothy J. Williams; dear bother of Marie K. Williams of Hingham and the late George A., Jr, Harold, Lloyd, Elliott, Charles and John; and is also survived by 27 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, April 6 from 4:00 to 8:00pm at the Dennis Sweeney Funeral Home 74 Elm St. Quincy Center. Family and friends are invited. On Thursday there will be a gathering at the funeral home at 9:00am followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00am at St. Joseph Church, 550 Washington St. Quincy. Burial with Military Honors will take place at Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree.

Donations in Robert’s memory may be made to Mass. General Hospital 165 Cambridge St. Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114-2792 for Research in Cardiac Disease Care.