William (Bill) Soares, 94, of Punta Gorda, FL passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday morning December 29, 2024 with family at his side.  Bill was born at home on River Road in Mattapoisett, MA to Mary (Bettencourt) Soares and Eugenio Machado Soares.  He married Lillies Jeanne (Rose) Soares in 1951. Lil predeceased Bill in 2023.

As with many Great Depression babies in this area Bill worked tirelessly on their small farm and developed his unquestionable work ethic and lifetime of unwavering dependability.  He graduated from Fairhaven HS and immediately attended Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA), where he made lifelong friends and memories.  He married Lil and spent 3 years in the Merchant Marines sailing the world on a tanker for many months at a time, until he realized he missed his family so much and wanted to be part of his children's lives growing up.

In place of a litany of accomplishments and activities in his life, here are 'A Few of His Favorite Things': (Hum loosely to the Sound of Music "Favorite Things"):

Candy & Chocolate & Sweet Bread and Ice Cream;

Linguica & Clambakes & Fritters and….. Ice Cream;

Christmas & Christmas & Christmas &, Oh Yah, Ice Cream;…

'These are a few of my fa-vo-rite things!'

Lawrence Welk on Saturday Niiiiiights!;

Dump pickin & finding 'really-good-free-stuff';

Building & Repairing and Doin' it all Over;

Dancing & Drinking and Hosting our Neighbors;

MMA Buddies & Travel & R'ving;

Knights of Columbus & Books about Hist-o-ry;

Sudoku & Family & Christmas & Biking…..and, Oh Yah, More Ice Cream Please!;

So, "we simply remember some of his favorite things and then we don't feel so bad!"

May he and Lil rest in eternal peace together in heaven now that their spirits are freed.  And, may St. Peter take solace that they will organize the heck out of the Pearly Gates for him now that they are together again.

Bill was the last survivor of his immediate family and their spouses.  He is survived by his children – Sharon Ballard (Randy) of NH, Bill Jr (Christine) of ME, Pamela Leonard of FL, Dave (Brenda) of NH, Chris (Laura) of VT, as well as special family friend Rogelio Marchetti (Tina); in-laws – Lucy Peters, Carol Rose, Joe Rose III (Mari); nieces/nephews – Gene (Donna), Nancy, Skip (Bill) Maloney, Mary Foley (Dave); cousins – Rosalie (Baker) Birlem, Joseph Ferreira (Lisa), Theresa Mesquita, Rosie Mesquita – as well as 16 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, along with many extended family members and friends.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held at a time TBD later this year in New England.

Arrangements are under the care of Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation Society, Punta Gorda, FL. Condolences and messages for his family may be expressed by visiting BaldwinCremation.com In remembrance of Bill's life the family asks that any charitable donations be made in care of the Society of St Vincent dePaul, the Ponce de Leon chapter of the K of C in Punta Gorda, or a charitable organization of your choice.