William J. Powers
8/4/11
William J. Powers, 88, of Milton and Harwichport, died at the Marina Bay Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Quincy, on July 24.

Mr. Powers was a 1940 graduate of English High School who worked for the Boston and Albany Railroad before enlisting in the Coast Guard, where he was an electrician’s mate based out of New London, Conn., for the duration of the war.

After joining the Boston Police Department in 1947, he served as a patrolman in Division 10 at Roxbury Crossing and Division 16 in the Back Bay until his promotion to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, where he later was named commander.

After deferring scholarly pursuits for a quarter-century, he enrolled at Northeastern University while working full time and graduated in 1972 as a member of Sigma Epsilon Rho. He earned a master’s degree in public administration in 1975.

Following his retirement in 1978, he was employed by First Security Services before forming the investigative firm of William J. Powers & Associates.

A prodigious gardener, he harvested and enjoyed tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini. He was famous for his “Grandpa Breakfasts,” which he concocted in his Cape Cod kitchen.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Anne F. (Sullivan) Powers; his children, John Powers and his wife, Elaine, of Wellesley, William Powers Jr. and his wife, Jane, of Quincy, Anne “Nancy” Powers and her partner, Ruth, of Quincy, Timothy Powers and his fiancée, Joanne, of Natick, Miriam Powers, of Lafayette, La., and Damien Powers, of Milton; his grandchildren, Jonathan, Evan, Meaghan, Caitlin, Kristen, Connor and Maya; his great-granddaughter, Georgianna; and nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Mary A. Powers.

A requiem Mass was celebrated in St. Elizabeth Church on Aug. 2. Burial was in Milton Cemetery. Donations may be made to Cops For Kids With Cancer, P.O. Box 850956, Braintree, MA 02185.