William T.J Dempsey

William “Bill” T.J. Dempsey, a longtime resident of Malden passed away peacefully on June 29, 2024, seven weeks short of his 100th birthday. The son of William and Barbara (Walsh) Dempsey, Bill was raised in Malden along with his nine siblings and cousin Barbara.

He graduated from Boston College HS in 1942. After enrolling at Boston College, but before graduating, Bill enlisted in the Army. As a member of the 42nd Infantry (“Rainbow”) Division in World War II, his first combat action was in the Battle of the Bulge. His wartime experience included single-handedly halting the advance of a German surprise attack on his company for which he won a Bronze Medal. On April 29, 1945, his squad played a key part in opening the gates and liberating the Dachau concentration camp, an experience that haunted him throughout his life.

Upon returning from the war, he completed his college degree and married Terry, the love of his life and beloved wife of 63 years before he lost her to cancer. Bill and Terry had five children: William, Jimmy, Joe, Mary Ann and Jean.

Bill lived and breathed Malden where he had a long, successful career as an educator, first as a teacher at the Faulkner School, later as principal of the Pierce School and, for 27 years, as principal of the Linden School. It was at Linden that Bill really excelled at positively impacting young people. As principal he started a boys’ basketball team and got other elementary schools throughout the city to do the same so they could have interschool competitions. Not ignoring the girls, he had female teachers start a cheerleading squad. As with the basketball team, other schools soon followed suit. He especially loved convening his students in the auditorium to give life lessons. He used his experiences to teach children that life is precious and required tolerance and understanding. He took great pride in the success of his students, many of whom remained in regular contact with him and supported him until his passing.

Bill devoted his life to doing all he could for those he touched. Bill was active in his support of veterans, his community and his church. He was a past Commander of American Legion Post 69, a member of the VFW, past president and District Lieutenant Governor of Kiwanis, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. At Sacred Hearts Parish he was active in the Holy Name Society and the Christian Family Movement where he and Terry formed many lifelong friendships. He served as a eucharistic minister, serving shut-ins and senior citizen facilities right up until COVID restrictions were implemented.

Bill was an avid baseball fan throughout his life and had signed a contract with the Boston Braves before going to war. Unfortunately, while helping a friend during the war he injured his knee, ending his baseball career before it began. For many years he worked summers for Northeast Airlines in Laconia, NH. Later, he built on a newfound hobby, magic, and convinced the owners of Santa’s Village in Jefferson, NH to hire him as a magician. While it may only have been a hobby, he performed hundreds of shows for children, veterans and many charities.

Bill and Terry were committed to helping people in any way they could and became longstanding contributors to building homes in Haiti, supporting Bread of Life, and, in the past few years, advocating for Malden Overcoming Addiction.

When Bill lost his son, Jimmy, in a tragic fall, he sold his home of 65 years and moved to Forestdale Park. There were people there he knew and new people to meet. Although his time there was short, he made many friends and enjoyed the camaraderie and attention heaped upon him.

Bill will be missed by many and forgotten by few.

Bill is survived by his children Joe and his wife Beverly of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Mary Ann Boari and her husband Doug of Woburn, Jean Perrigo and her husband Doug of Venice, FL, his daughter-in-law, Kim of Winthrop, his sister Anne McDermott and her husband John, his cousin Barbara Burke, his sister-in-law Sally Cavanaugh, his grandchildren Brian, William, Carolyn, Tom, Michael, Anne Marie, Laura, Mary Beth, Owen and Caitlin, and his great-grandchildren John, Evan and Olivia as well as countless friends and former students.

Visiting hours are Tuesday, July 2nd, from 3 – 7 p.m., at the Weir Funeral Home, 144 Salem St., in Malden. A Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Hearts Parish, 297 Main Street, Malden, on Wednesday, July 3rd at 9:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bill may be made to Malden Overcoming Addiction, 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148

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