The Singing Godfather was beloved teacher, drama coach

Published May 28, 2020

LYNNFIELD — William G. Faria, 87, of Lynnfield and formerly from the North End of Boston and Revere, died at his home on Friday, May 22, 2020.

Born in Boston on August 14, 1932, he was the son of the late Carlos P. and Rose (DeBellis) Faria. He was a graduate of Boston English High School, Fitchburg State College, and received his Master of Education from Salem State College. Bill was a U.S. Air Force Korean War veteran who served as a Staff Sargent from 1952-1956.

Bill worked for the Raytheon Corporation and taught at Lynnfield High School, Shawsheen Technical High School, Revere High School, Malden High School and Mass Bay Community College. He was a beloved teacher of electronics and life lessons!

He adored being a drama coach, serving for more than 25 years on the board of the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild. He loved performing as the Singing Godfather in local nursing homes and family weddings. He was also a member of the St. Maria Goretti Choir for more than 20 years. If you met him, he was your friend. Bill made everyone feel loved in his presence and you felt happy. He cherished the amazing number of friendships that he made over the years, along with his large, extended families. Bill traveled the world, and loved cruising and meeting new people.

He was a resident of Lynnfield for the past 43 years and was the number one sports fan of Lynnfield High School and North Reading High School. He was also a member of the Friends of the North End and the Sons of Italy.

Family members include his loving wife of 57 years, Carolyn (Addesa) Faria; his son, William Carlos and his wife Ellen; his daughters, Marlene Connelly and her husband David, Nancy Meaney and her husband John, and Janice Gagne and her husband Darrell; and his grandchildren, Matthew, Jack, Joseph, Aidan and Lauren. He was the brother of the late Carlos, the late Emily Carten, and Marie Scapicchio. He was the brother-in-law of Frances Addesa, Domenic Sarcia, Irving Byer and the late John Addesa and the late Rosemary Sarcia.

Funeral services will be private due to the current COVID-19 situation. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Bill Faria Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Wakefield Cooperative Bank, 596 Main St. Lynnfield, MA 01940.

Arrangements are in the care of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St. North Reading, MA 01864. To leave an online message of condolence please visit: www.croswellfuneralhome.com.