William Fletcher
May 09, 1910 - April 24, 2005
View Tribute and Sign Guestbook William Fletcher., 94, an accomplished local musician, and a sixty five year Somerset resident passed away Sunday April 24, 2005 at the Longmeadow Nursing center in Taunton, MA he was the husband of the late Jeannette (Lassonde) Fletcher.
Mr. Fletcher was born in Fall River, MA on May 9, 1910 the son of the late Saul and Fannie (Gaskovitch) Fletcher. He was playing the clarinet, saxophone, and violin at the age of twelve. A graduate of BMC Durfee High School class of 1928, he then went to New York and played the saxophone for the band O’Briens Trubidours, then playing the saxophone on the Queen of Bermuda ship which took people from Bermuda to Europe, he also played with the Old Fall River Line in New York and played during the recession in New York and New Jersey at various clubs and speakeasies along with greats Sammie Davis Jr., Abbot & Costello, Bin Crosby, and Bennie Goodman. Mr. Fletcher then returned to raise a family in Somerset, Ma and started his own business - Fall River Sheet Metal Company - which he owned for many years. He then went on to work for T-Blake Engineering & Lutz Engineering Companies in Rhode Island until he retired in 1975. He continued to play and teach music with the Somerset High School marching band, and had his own music studio on Riverside Avenue in Somerset where he repaired and taught music the high school kids. He was the grand Marshall of the Somerset Music Town Festival in 1987, he also taught the Santo Christo band in Fall River. He was the oldest and longest member local 216 American Federation of Musicians in Fall River, an avid traveler and enjoyed going out to eat.
Survivors are a daughter Joan J. Motta of Somerset, MA two sons Robert W. Fletcher of Cape Coral, FL David R. Fletcher of Seekonk, MA three sisters Ruth Augusto of Somerset, MA Marilyn Blackman of Fall River, MA Gertrude "Trudy" Baumgardner of Pennsylvania seven grandchildren David and Ryan Fletcher, Leslie Hussain, Richard Marshall. Fletcher II, Derek Fletcher, Karen Ryan, and David Motta six great grandchildren Jacqlyn Fletcher, Maxwell Fletcher, Amanda Coutierier, Hailey Ryan, C.J. Ryan, and Chase Ryan, many nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late Richard M. Fletcher, brother of the late Miriam Harrison, Samuel and Harry Fletcher.
Funeral Information
Mr. Fletcher's funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 10am in the Hathaway Community Home for Funerals, 900 Buffinton St., Somerset, MA burial to follow in Saint Patrick Cemetery Somerset. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Calling hours with video photo album will be Wednesday, April 27, 2005 from 5-8pm.
Donations Information
Memorial donations in his memory to Alzheimers Association 36 Cameron Ave.,
Cambridge, MA 02140
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