William F. Colclough, age 92, a lifelong resident of Quincy, died, Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at the Brockton VA Medical Center. He had been a resident of their hospice unit for six weeks and received the utmost care and compassion from their exceptional team of doctors, nurses, and aides.

Bill was born in Medford, to the late Myrtle M. (Gaudreau) Colclough and William L. Colclough. Bill spent his youth in Houghs Neck, which he lovingly referred to as “God’s Country!” He met many lifelong friends there that he treasured all his days.

He was a proud graduate of Quincy High School, Class of 1950.

Bill’s first job as a young teenager was digging clams around the beaches of Quincy and Neponset. His exploits with Frank “Brains” McCauley, Sam Phelan, John Boyd and many other “diggers” were the stuff of legend. Later, through diligence and determination, he became an employee of the New England Telephone Company – supervising complex switchover operations throughout his thirty-three year career. He was highly respected as a manager by labor, and was known for treating everyone with dignity and fairness.

Bill served with honor in the United States Navy during the Korean era aboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts DD 823, a Gearing-class destroyer. A skilled 120 wpm typist, he landed what he considered the best job on the ship: yeoman first class. He received the National Defense Service Medal. He loved his time in the Navy and felt it was a privilege to serve his country.

Bill was always athletic and fit. He loved his daily “workout” walks – from his home on Wilson Avenue to the Villa Rosa and back, listening to Margery Eagan and Jim Braude on his Walkman, a routine he continued well into his late eighties. He played in volleyball, tennis and bowling leagues through the years, but his lifelong passion was golf. He especially enjoyed competing in (and winning!) the WGAM Stone Cup matches with his daughter, Janet. He played golf into his mid-eighties – always walked the course, always carried his bag.

Bill loved fun. He was a master “gamer” with a library of video games that was the envy of all his grandchildren. For his ninetieth birthday, he received a PlayStation 5 from his daughters.

In the summer of 1957, at Craigville Beach on Cape Cod, Bill met the love of his life, Marion Clark from Wollaston. He proposed to her on their third date, and she told him, “Ask me again tomorrow.” He did, and she said, “Yes!” Bill and Marion wed in 1958, raised three daughters together, and enjoyed sixty-five wonderful years of marriage, until Marion passed away in June, 2024.

Bill’s most cherished role was that of grandfather. “Pa” had a gift for making each of his grandchildren feel as if they were the most important person in the world. Eating out at restaurants became opportunities for racing car games on the dining tables. The coming of spring marked the time when Pa could spend hours playing catch with them at Bishop Field. Pa’s booming cheers could be heard at every concert, play, recital, football, soccer, hockey, and baseball game of his beloved grandchildren.

Recent condolences to his family repeat the phrase “one-of-a-kind.” Bill Colclough was most certainly that!

Loving father of Gail O’Brien Clifford and her husband Fred of Duxbury, and predeceased husband Paul O’Brien, Janet Colclough Bargar of Quincy and her late husband Joseph, and Laura Ippolito of Stoughton. Dear son-in-law to the late Josephine Clark and her husband, William.

Extraordinary grandfather of Brendan, Sean, Erin, and Liam O’Brien, Jesse Bargar, Michael and Joseph Ippolito.

Dear brother of Thomas Colclough and predeceased by James Colclough and John Colclough.

Bill is also survived by his sister-in-law, Sharon Colclough, as well as many dearly-loved nieces, nephews, and their families.

Visiting Hours will be held at the Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals, 1 Independence Avenue, Quincy, on Wednesday, May 21, from 4 – 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Funeral Services will be conducted at St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church, 1 Linden Street, Quincy, on Thursday, May 22, at 10:30 a.m. Reverend Christopher Capaldo, Rector, will officiate. Military honors will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the VA Brockton Hospice Unit online at
https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/52253675.