William Gordon Quill

William Gordon Quill, 78, died December 26, 2018 at his home in Newburyport, MA. He was born on October 14, 1940 in Haverhill, MA to the late John J. and Sarah (Zagranis) Quill. Bill was raised in Newburyport and graduated from Newburyport High School in 1958. Following high school, Bill attended Fitchburg State University where he earned his undergraduate degree in Industrial Arts; and went on to complete his doctorate in Philosophy and Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. 

Bill was a member of the Northeastern University graduate faculty in Bouvé College where he taught counseling psychology and philosophy related courses. During his 49-year tenure at Northeastern, Bill founded and directed several Master’s programs in counseling, as well as a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study program. He very much devoted himself to teaching and mentoring generations of students before retiring on June 30, 2017. A life-long student himself, Bill continued to explore subject matters in philosophy and psychology throughout his career; and authored two books on subjective and scientific psychology, in addition to numerous scholarly articles.

A “shop rat” at heart, Bill maintained an extraordinary workshop of industrial-grade metal and woodworking machinery, and an extensive inventory of every tool imaginable. Over the years, he applied his in-depth knowledge of all the trades when restoring and renovating five residential properties in Boston, Brookline and Newburyport, including the Lord Timothy Dexter House, where he resided with his family for more than 30 years. Among his many achievements, academic and otherwise, Bill took the greatest pride in his restoration of the Dexter House.

Bill is survived by his wife of 42 years, Kathleen (Calabrese) Quill of Newburyport; and sons Michael Quill of Boston and Douglas Quill of Los Angeles. A warm, light-hearted and unassuming man, Bill will be deeply missed by his family and all the countless individuals whose lives he enriched and inspired.

Family and friends may call on Friday January 4, 2019 from 3:00 to 4:30 PM at the Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950. Everyone is invited to attend and participate, if they wish, in a commemoration service that will begin at 4:30 in the funeral home. Parking is available behind the Funeral Home.

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