Obituary: William J. Orphan

Obituary from Legacy.com.

William J. Orphan, of Norwood, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 5, 2012, at home. He was 88.

Mr. Orphan served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II as a tail gunner on a B17. His plane was shot down over Germany and he was subsequently held as a P.O.W. in Krems, Austria, for 18 months. Mr. Orphan was a firefighter with the Town of Norwood for more than 40 years, and served as a captain when he retired in 1989. On April 23, 1978, he was appointed as a temporary deputy fire chief for the Norwood Fire Department. He was an artist, photographer, painter and enthusiastic model airplane builder, flying them in competitions. He was an avid Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. He was the beloved husband of the late Dorothy Jean (Gorman) Orphan; loving father of Beverley Barzin and her husband, Leon, of Westwood, James Orphan and his wife, Mae, of Walpole, and William Orphan and his wife, Margaret, of Lakeville; devoted grandfather of Alexis and Margaux Barzin, Stephanie Orphan, and Jarred Orphan; brother of the late James, Peter, and George Orphan. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Interment with military honors in Highland Cemetery, Norwood. Memorial contributions in memory of William J. Orphan may be made to the MSPCA-Angell, 350 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130.