June 11, 1941 – June 11, 2022
William J. Bartosch, Jr. “Skip,” a resident of Shapleigh, Maine for 18 years, formerly of Reading, passed away on his birthday, June 11, 2022, at the Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine. He was 81 years of age.
Skip was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, on June 11, 1941, the son of the late William J. and Florence (Hall) Bartosch. He was a graduate of Don Bosco Preparatory High School. Skip went on to enlist in the U.S. Army, where he served for over 23 years in both active and reserve capacity. Upon retiring from the Army, he went on to work for Lube 495 Incorporated and ultimately retired in 2003 from Shell Oil Products, U.S. Skip was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting, fishing and gardening. He also enjoyed tinkering in his workshop as he could fix anything and everything. Skip was always there to lend a hand, a tool or his opinion. If you were lucky, you would get all three. While living in Reading, Skip served as a town meeting member for many years.
Skip retired to Mousam Lake in Maine in 2004 and led a very active life. He served on the York County Budget Committee and was well known in the community. Many people on Mousam referred to Skip as “Mr. Mousam Lake”. Skip began volunteering with the Mousam Lake Region Association (MLRA) in 2005 as a certified water quality tester and continued that role until 2020. He joined the Board of Directors in 2007 and served as the Vice President from 2008-2019. As a full time resident of the lake, Skip hosted many winter BOD meetings at his residence. He was always a vocal promoter of the MLRA representing the association on the Sanford Dam Committee and regularly attended local government meetings. During his tenure, he was the primary MLRA contact for any lake issues including winter inspections, lake markers and water quality sampling just to name a few.
Skip loved his country and enjoyed spending time traveling it with Claudette and their traveling buddies, Glenn and Linda. He also loved to bring Claudette “home” to Canada and spend special time with his in-laws who lived there. There was only one thing that Skip loved more than his country, and that was his family. Claudette was the love of his life and they shared 58 years of marriage. His love for his 3 children was undeniable and his grandchildren were his pride and joy.
Skip was the beloved husband of Claudette M. (Savoie) Bartosch. Devoted father of Karen Bartosch of Woburn, William J. Bartosch III and his husband Chad Swan of Worcester, and Kristen Eagleston and her husband Richard of Reading. Cherished brother of Lois Bell of Reading and loving grandfather of John, Samantha, Megan and Emily. Skip is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. Skip’s funeral will be held from the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 9:30am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Agnes Church 186 Woburn St. Reading at 10:30am. Burial is private. Funeral home visiting hours will be Wednesday, June 15 from 4-8pm.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Skip’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka KS 66675.
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