William F. Rosselli

Dr. William F. Rosselli, of Stoneham, beloved husband of Grace (Limoncelli) Rosselli, passed away on Saturday, December 5th, 2020. Born in Somerville, he is the loving son of the late Charles and Angela (LaMacchia) Rosselli.

Dr. Rosselli was an honors graduate of Somerville High School, class of 1946, and a graduate of Tufts University, class of 1949. In 1952, he earned a second Bachelor of Science degree, as well his Doctorate, from the New England College of Optometry. He went on to serve in the United States Army Medical Service Corps, attaining the rank of Second Lieutenant, from 1953 to 1956, during most of which time, he was stationed in Osaka, Japan. It was there that Dr. Rosselli helped establish an optometric clinic, serving many Japanese citizens whose eyesight had been adversely affected by the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. During his service to his country in Japan, Dr. Rosselli received numerous commendations and special recognition for his outstanding contributions to the field of Optometry, as well as for his personal character, integrity and performance in his field.

He was discharged from the Army in 1956, and opened his own optometric practice in Somerville. He married his wife of 57 years, Grace, in 1963, and they raised their children in Stoneham. Being dedicated to his profession, he spent much of his free time reading optometric, medical and healthcare journals, as well as attending professional seminars, lectures and continuing education courses throughout his career. Known by his patients and throughout Somerville as a kind, compassionate and devoted professional, Dr. Rosselli kept his practice for 39 years, retiring in 1995, and was a sixty-four year member of the American Optometric Association. He was a daily communicant at St. Patrick's Church in Stoneham and enjoyed spending time with his family. As a standout baseball player in his youth, he continued his lifelong love of the sport as an avid Boston Red Sox fan.

He is the devoted father of Charles Rosselli and Angela Lipson and her husband Jeffrey. Cherished grandfather of Mia and Hannah Lipson. Loving brother of Frances Crocetta and her husband Michael, the late Anthony C. Rosselli and his late wife Eleanor, the late Phyllis Piccosi and her late husband Anthony, the late Rose Quatieri and her late husband Thomas, the late Dr. N. John Rosselli and his late wife Rose and the late Joseph Rosselli and his surviving wife Joann. Brother-in-law of Frank Limoncelli and his wife Barbara and the late John Limongelli and his surviving wife Olga. He is also the uncle to many loving nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Dr. Rosselli's Eternal Life will be held at St. Patrick's Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham, on Monday, December 14th, 2020, at 10am. Interment will follow at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.

Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with Dr. Rosselli's family at the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main St., Stoneham, on Sunday, December 13th, 2020, from 1pm to 5pm. Parking attendants and elevators are available. Due to Massachusetts COVID-19 restrictions, masks are required in the funeral home, and up to 40% occupancy is allowed at any one time.

Please consider making a donation in Dr. Rosselli's memory to St. Patrick's Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham, MA 02180.


For further information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome.