ADAMS, Mass. — Mr. William Richard Minardi, 90, of Adams passed unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, at Albany Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Taunton, Mass., on April 17, 1927, son of the late Arturo and Rosa (Mencarelli) Minardi. He attended schools in Taunton. Mr. Minardi went on to receive his Bachelor's Degree from the former North Adams State College and then his Master's Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Massachusetts.

Mr. Minardi was a veteran of World War II, having served with the United States Coast Guard until receiving his Honorable Discharge on June 6, 1946.

Mr. Minardi last worked as a college professor, teaching at the former North Adams State College and later Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams. Earlier he taught for the North Adams Public School System and had been the Principal of Mark Hopkins Elementary School, North Adams. As a student at the North Adams State Teachers College, he and a few other men created the men's basketball team at the college.

He was a communicant of St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire. He enjoyed all types of sports and played basketball, softball, tennis and volleyball. He competed in the Senior Olympics on the volleyball team and was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame, and he coached the girls' volleyball team at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He had also been an official for the Adams P.A.L. and Church League Basketball Programs. 

He was a published author of poems and, soon to be published, a second book of Children's poems as well. As of late 2014, he was a lecturer in the Elderhostel Program. He shared his knowledge of and passion for astronomy with audiences at Bascom Lodge on top of Mount Greylock – an embodiment of his love of nature, astronomy and teaching. He was the epitome of a teacher.

His wife, the former Doris Ann Knechtel, whom he married on July 28, 1951, passed away on January 31, 2016.

Bill was a devoted father and grandfather. His greatest joy in life was spending time with his family, which he called "Heaven on Earth."

He is survived by six daughters, Dina Poplaski and her husband, Jim, of Cheshire, Maria Lahey and her husband, Mike, of Adams, Lisa Tetlow and her husband, Bob, of Cheshire, Carla Stewart and her husband, John, of St. Charles, Ill., Nora Minardi of Adams and Gayna Cross and her husband, Marshall, of Salem, N.Y.; as well as 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother and four sisters.

Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at noon in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire. Burial will follow in Maple Street Cemetery, Adams.

Calling hours are Tuesday, August 8, 2017, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Paciorek Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac St. Adams, MA 01220. Memorial donations may be made to the William R. Minardi Scholarship through the funeral home.