William Matthew Antoine Sr.

William Matthew “Bill” Antoine Sr., lifelong resident of Hingham, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at the age of 85.

Loving father of four sons William M. Jr. of Pembroke, Michael S. and his wife Carolyn of Hingham, Peter G. and his wife Suzanne of Waltham, Thomas W. and his wife Lori of Kingston and three daughters Mary C. Antoine of Pompano Beach FL, Joan A Cefalu of Dorchester and Elizabeth J Hubauer, Acworth GA.  He has 21 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Also survived by his former wife Shirley R. Corbett, sister in law Edna Antoine, and long-time friend Lou Tower. Devoted son of the late Walter and Mary (Carr) Antoine, brother of the late George, Walter, Frances, John & Robert Antoine.

Bill was born at Cohasset Hospital in Cohasset. He graduated from Hingham High School, and served his Apprenticeship as an Electrician at Bethlehem Steel Shipyard in Quincy.

He worked for the New England Telephone for 34 years before retiring. He was a member of the U.S. Navy Reserves, the U.S. Air Force Reserves and U.S. Army Reserves from which he retired as Master Sergeant with total of 37 years of military service.

He was a member of the Hingham Fire Department retiring as Call Captain of Engine Company 6 after 35 years of service to the town. He was past president of the Hingham Fireman's Relief Association.  The youngest Civil Defense Department Head in the town as the U.S. Air Force's Ground Observer Corps Supervisor during the Cold War. Bill was one of the founding members of the Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Firefighters Association. He was appointed their Chaplain in 1987. He was the Past President of the New England Citizens Band Radio Club in the 1960s. He served on the 4th of July Committee for many years. He also served on Town's Television Advisory Committee. He volunteered as a guide at the Church of Presidents and on the U.S.S. Salem in Quincy.

Bill had a love of genealogy being very proud of his Portuguese and Irish heritages.  As a youngster he dug clams in Hingham Harbor and worked at Bakers 5 & 10.  Bill also worked for the Hingham Post Office and Paragon Park.  A local history buff Bill enjoyed sharing stories of old town Hingham and of the Minot's Ledge Lighthouse in Cohasset.  He was active with the Hingham Militia during the bi-centennial celebrations. Bill enjoyed Facebook and his friend Sharon Hart Cassone shared "His love for Hingham was surpassed only by his love for the Hingham Fire Dept., our country and his children. He was not just a Townie or a Covah but a true patriot."  Bill loved to travel, he visited many countries while with the Navy Reserves and then with Space-A travel as retired military.

Visiting hours will be held at the Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel, 21 Pond Street Hingham, on Friday, March 3, 2017 from 4 to 8 p.m. All relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. At the family's request, a private celebration of life will be held on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to the Bare Cover Fire Museum, P O Box   262, Hingham, MA 02043.

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