William D. Annese

William D. Annese, former Senior Forest & Park Supervisor at Douglas State Forest, passed away on August 10, 2021 at Rose Monahan Hospice House in Worcester Ma. He was age 75. William “Bill” Annese was born August 30, 1945 in Webster, Massachusetts.

Bill leaves his beloved wife Sylvia of 55 year’s. He also leaves three children David Annese and his wife Nicol, Lynn Konieczny and her husband David and James Annese and his wife Deirdre. Four grandchildren, Kayli and Julia Annese, and Jared and Kyle Brinkley. Bill also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and in laws.

Bill was employed by the Massachusetts Department of conservation for 38 years and was a public servant who was committed to protecting and preserving our natural, cultural and historic resources and providing recreational opportunities that were accessible and affordable to everyone.

After graduating from Bartlett High School in 1963. Bill attended the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts where he majored in Arboriculture and Park Management and received an Associate Degree in Park Management/ Administration when he graduated in 1965. While attending Stockbridge, Bill started his career with the Massachusetts Department of Natural resources (DNR or DCR) as a seasonal Conservation helper working at Douglas State Forest in 1964. After graduating from college, Bill was appointed to Seasonal Forest & Park Supervisor position at Buffumville Recreation Area (State Park) in Charlton where he worked for next five seasons,

Bill was recognized by management, his peers and the public, as a talented administrator and facilitator who “gets things done”. Throughout his career Bill’s leadership, talents and energy have been directly responsible for nearly all of the major physical additions or improvements made to Douglas State Forest.

Bill was an outspoken advocate for protecting our natural, cultural and historic resources through acquiring more land to add to the Douglas State Forest. Under his leadership and guidance, the Department of Conservation and Recreation has acquired 75,000 feet of shoreline on Wallum Lake and Whitins Reservoir and approximately 657 acres of forest land since 1984.

Bills awards and citations include the Alan Henry Memorial Award given to a member of the Division of Forests and Parks who has demonstrated outstanding abilities in Recreation Supervision, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Pride in performance Award given for outstanding achievement in Forest and Park Management.

In his younger years Bill enjoyed camping with his family, hunting, and ice fishing, maintaining his vegetable garden and enjoyed working outside whenever possible. Bill’s most noted quality was time spent with family and friends and that Family always came first above anything else.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 am on August 17, 2021 at St. Louis Parish 15 Lake street Webster Massachusetts.  Please meet at the church. Committal will follow in St. Joseph's Garden of Peace.

In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to Encompass Health and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home.  

A guest book is available at www.shaw-majercik.com where you may offer condolences, share fond memories, or light a candle in remembrance of Bill.

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