William H. Mitchell, Sr.

William H. Mitchell, Sr.,  82, of Quincy, formerly longtime of  Weymouth and Ipswich, died Thursday April 29, 2010 in the Quincy Medical Center. He was the husband of the late Eleanor K. (Martin) Mitchell.

Born in Boston March 5, 1928, son of the late Franklin B. and Mildred M. (Howard) Mitchell, he was raised in Wallaston, attended Quincy Public Schools. and was active in the youth activities of Christ Church Episcopal of Quincy,  He left high school in his senior year to enlist in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Chicago CA-136 Heavy Cruiser that engaged the Occupation forces of Japan following the A-bomb release during WWII. In the years following his honorable discharge he attended Boston University, a graduate of the Class of 1954.  Later he received a Master’s Degree from Boston State Teacher’s College, studied at Tuft’s University as a Teaching Fellow in the 1970’s, and took advanced courses at Northeastern and Boston University Graduate Schools.  After a year in Maine and a year at Hingham High School, he came to teach in Quincy High School in 1956, where he stayed until his retirement in 1990.  Mr. Mitchell was a recipient of the distinguished services award by the City of Quincy School Committee, for his 34 years of service in the Quincy Public School system. He served as chair and co-chair for the social studies discipline of American History during Quincy High School State evaluations

During the 1960’s and 70’s he was a member of the U.S. Professional Tennis Registry. For several years he managed the clay courts at the Quincy Tennis Club  and went on to organize the boy’s tennis team that won the New England Championships.  He also coached the boy’s tennis team for nearly 20 years at Quincy High School that resulted in both team and individual awards. Within the Quincy community he formed a committee to urge Quincy’s Park Department officials to install lights in park areas for night basketball and tennis.  An official ceremony was held by then Mayor James R. McIntyre at Merrymount Park dedicating the occasion.

During his retirement, he was active in the Shriner’s Organization serving the Shriners Burn Hospital in Boston.  He served as Chief of Staff for Aleppo Shriners from 1996-99 and served as Personnel Officer of the Legion of Honors Shriners Unit.  He also arranged to have the Shriners participate in the annual Quincy Christmas Parade.   In addition, he was past president of the South Shore Shrine Club and served as a board member.

He was a member of the Rural Masonic Lodge of Quincy, Quincy Commanding #47 – Knights Templar, Friendship Council of Royal and Select Masters, and St Stephen’s Royal Arch Chapter in Quincy.  He served in all bodies and held office. He was also a member of American Legion Post 95 of Quincy, a member of the John T. Heard Lodge of Ipswich, Aleppo Temple, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1093 of Ipswich.

He is survived by three sons, William H. Mitchell, Jr. and his wife Denise  of Ipswich, James B. Mitchell and his wife Lynn Aldrich-Mitchell of Braintree and Franklin C. Mitchell  of Weymouth; two daughters, Kathleen R. Mitchell-Eby and her husband Ken of Ipswich and Susan S. Mosher and her husband James of Plaistow, NH; seven grandchildren, Eleanor D. Mitchell, Kaitlyn, Chelsea and Olivia  Mitchell-Eby all of Ipswich, Shaye Mitchell of Braintree, and Brooke and Cooper Mosher  both of Plaistow, NH and a great grandchild, Kaydyn Landry of Ipswich.

His Funeral Service will be held Monday May 3 at 11 AM in the Ascension Memorial Church, 31 County Street, Ipswich, followed by interment with Military Honors in the Cowles Memorial Cemetery, Ipswich. Family and friends are respectfully welcomed. Visiting hours are Sunday 3 to 6 pm with a Masonic Service at 4:30 pm in the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in his name may be made to Shriner’s Burn Hospital, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02214. For directions or to leave a condolence  please visit  www.whittier-porter.com 

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