U.S. Army veteran, active supporter of the Masons
Published December 5, 2019
MELROSE — William J. Dias, 81, longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 29, 2019, at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center.
Born in Cambridge on November 24, 1938, William was one of six children of the late Edward J. Dias and Hazel G. (Cox) Dias. Raised and educated in Melrose, Bill enlisted in the United States Army on November 25, 1955 and served 3 years in the 101st Airborne Division. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1958, and forever remained a proud veteran. Bill raised his family of four children in Melrose while he worked as a Senior Draftsman for Polaroid Corp. from 1965 until 1995. After retiring from Polaroid, he enjoyed his work as a custodian at the Malden Post Office for several years.
Bill was a passionate and active supporter of the Masons for many years. He served as past Master of the Wyoming Lodge AF&AM, and a member of Fidelity Lodge of Melrose, Independence Lodge in Malden, and Euclid Lodge in Braintree, Waverly Royal Arch Chapter in Melrose, Scottish Rite Valley of Boston, and the Aleppo Temple Shrine in Wilmington. He was also a member of the Lodge of Research for Mass. and served as Secretary for the Masonic Secretaries Association of Mass.
Bill was a fun loving and enthusiastic grandfather who never missed a grandchild’s sporting event, or birthday. In his free time, he was a voracious reader, enjoyed researching genealogy, and more recently started painting and doing sculpture. Proud and self-reliant, Bill had a creative solution to fix anything which generally involved lots of duct tape. He also loved ice cream, enjoyed vacations around the country with family, and the thrill of visiting the casino.
With a great sense of humor, Bill always added levity and laughter to any situation. He served as a great source of strength, pride, and love for his family. Bill will be greatly and sorely missed, but lovingly remembered for his deep care, love and dedication to family.
Bill was the former husband of Linda (Loring) Dias. Devoted father of Scott J. Dias and his wife Barbara of Springfield, Va., Pamela L. Harvey and her husband Scott of Tewksbury, Lisa L. Trischitta and her husband Frank of North Reading, and John E. Dias and his wife Lisa of Lynnfield. Cherished grandfather of William Dias, John Dias and his wife Cristina, Katrina Dias, Brian Dias and his wife Katherine Johnson, Nicholas Harvey, Tyler Harvey, Leanne Trischitta, Jillian Trischitta, Sophia Trischitta, Frank Trischitta, Joseph Dias, Lucia Dias and the late Gianna Dias. Loving great-grandfather of Jackson Dias.
Relatives and friends will gather in honor and remembrance of Bill’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 4-8 p.m., and again on Friday for his funeral service celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment with military honors by the U.S. Army at Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. Gifts in Bill’s memory may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, dav.org/donate or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc/donate For online tribute or directions visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
