William P. "Bill" Reitsma
March 8, 1925 — June 9, 2013
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Past Services
Visitation
Funeral Service
Interment
William P. "Bill" Reitsma
Born on March 8, 1925 in Boston, he was one of eight children of the late William P. Reitsma, Sr. and Florence (Carr) Reitsma.He was raised in Hyde Park, graduated from Hyde Park High School Class of 1943, and attended Northeastern University. He began his working career during WWII at the Charlestown Navy Yard where he assisted in building submarines.Mr. Reitsma then worked within the Factory Mutual System as a draftsman and eventually became an Officer with the Arkwright-Boston Insurance Co. He retired after over 40 years in 1986.
A Melrose resident for over 50 years, Mr. Reitsma was a longtime and active member of the First Baptist Church, and the Melrose YMCA where he was an avid volleyball player.
With a love for the outdoors, Bill enjoyed sailing, the beach, skiing, skating, and canoeing.He skied into his 70's and taught many young Melrose children how to ski with the Mt. Hood Ski Club.He and his late wife "Gert" enjoyed camping, and loved summer trips in their RV to New Hampshire.They also loved travelling together with their friends and family. They vacationed to Europe, Hawaii, Australia, and across the entire US.
Bill was the beloved husband of the late Gertrude P. "Gert" (Hampton) Reitsma with whom he shared 63 years of marriage.Devoted father of Gail R. Wolejko and her husband Dr. Raymond Wolejko of Lunenburg, Glenn P. Reitsma and his wife Pamela of Scotts Valley, CA, David M. Reitsma and his wife Jena of Acton, Scott H. Reitsma and his wife Kayla DeWees of Shrewsbury and the late Roy W. Reitsma and his wife Kimberly Thomas of Fort Mill, SC. Dear brother of Shirley Stone and her husband Walter of Plymouth, Beatrice Smith of Plymouth, Henry Robert Reitsma and his wife Jean of Plymouth, Hazel Guyot and her husband Robert of Plymouth, Jeanne Molinario and her husband Angelo of Plymouth, Judy DiLorenzo and her husband Rocco of Dedham and the late Pauline Dunn and her husband James of Plymouth.Dear brother in law of Priscilla A. Carbone and her husband Ralph of Lynnfield, and the late Barbara J. Muise and Charlotte B. Hampton. Cherished grandfather of Matthew and his wife Joanna, Jeffrey, Thomas, Amy and her husband Ramon, Corey, Marissa, Luke, and Emma. Loving great grandfather of Leila.Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
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 Wednesday, June 12 from 4-8PM, and for his Funeral Service at the First Baptist Church, 561 Main St. Melrose celebrated on Thursday at 11:00 AM.Interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Gifts in Bills memory may be made to the American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts, 139 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William P. "Bill" Reitsma, please visit our flower store.
Past Services
Visitation
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
4:00 - 8:00 pm
Robinson Funeral Home
Funeral Service
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Starts at 11:00 am
First Baptist Church
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