Abel William "Bill" Camara

Mr. Abel William “Bill” Camara, 85, of Rockville, Maryland passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at his residence. Born on July 1, 1939 in North Easton, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Isabel (nee Correia) and John Camara. He was the eighth of eleven children.

Bill grew up at 9 Bridge St. and assisted with the family businesses. He accompanied his father in his truck business to sell and deliver groceries, meat, and fish around the area and later helped customers at the Package Store.

Bill graduated from Oliver Ames High School in 1957 and went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Boston College in 1961. During high school and college, he worked at the Easton Pharmacy, which he described as being critical to making attending BC realistic.

After graduating college Bill accepted a job in Carderock, MD at the David Taylor Model Basin, Naval Ship Research and Development Center. He started out as a programmer, moved on to be a computer systems analyst, a branch head, and ultimately a division supervisor. He spent his entire 35 year career working there retiring in 1996. He always said that the highlight of his time at Carderock was meeting his wife Ardie.

He loved playing softball and continued to play Senior Softball up until his passing. Bill was an avid baseball fan, particularly of his beloved Red Sox for whom he rooted through tough times and championships. He loved St. Mary’s Catholic Church and was an active member of the congregation. He organized coffee and donut events, was a Eucharistic Minister, and led the Pre-Cana program along with Ardie. He was on the St. Mary’s School Board including serving as president for a year. In 2022 Bill and Ardie were honored as the St. Mary’s Parishioners of the Year.

To celebrate his Portuguese and Madeiran heritage, Bill joined the Club Madeirense S. S. Sacramento in New Bedford, MA in 2001 working in Barraca 10 at the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament. He served as a Festeiro in 2001, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2014, and 2019. He and Ardie travelled to visit Eastern Europe, Italy, Iceland, Madeira, and Costa Rica, as well as taking many short trips up and down the East Coast and Chicago to see family. Family was particularly important to him. He enjoyed attending countless activities to watch his grandchildren. He was the Games Master along with his brother Joe at the family reunions and he created the “UB network” so that everyone could stay in touch.

Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ardath A. (nee Tomesch) Camara and their children Deborah (Michael) Kunzer, David (Katrina) Camara, and Dinis (Johanna) Camara; grandchildren Aaron Kunzer, Cheyenne Camara Turner, Ryan (Ezra) Kunzer, Casey Camara, Joshua Kunzer, Kyle Kunzer, Isabel Camara, and Charlie Camara; siblings Evangeline Crocker, John E. Camara, Joseph Camara, Alice Camara, Linda Amorim, and Gloria Walsh; and many in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family. Bill was preceded in death by his parents John and Isabel Camara and his siblings John Camara, Mary Rose, Celeste Dahlborg, and Ernest Camara.

In Maryland a visitation will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 520 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, Maryland on Monday, February 10, 2025, from 3 until 6 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 10 am.

In Massachusetts a visitation will be held at Kane Funeral Home, 605 Washington Street (Route 138), Easton, Massachusetts on Friday, February 14, 2025, from 4 until 7 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 10:30 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 193 Main Street, North Easton, Massachusetts followed by interment at Immaculate Conception Cemetery.

In-lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of Bill to St. Mary’s School in Rockville, Maryland at https://one.bidpal.net/smsappeal2025/browse/donation(details:item/2) or Feeding America at https://give.feedingamerica.org/a/donate-in-honor .