Obituary: William (Bill) Volante

William “Bill” Volante, of Merrimack, New Hampshire, passed away, at 85 years of age, on February 25, 2026, after a period of declining health. He is deeply loved and dearly missed. Bill was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 4, 1940, to Antonio “Cappy” Volante and his wife, Lena, both first-generation Italian immigrants. Bill was proud of his Italian American heritage. Bill lived in Merrimack for 53 years, where he loved, raised, and supported his family. He was predeceased by his wife, Janet, who passed away in 2002, and his sister, Jane, who passed away in 2008. He is survived by his loving companion of 20 years, Nancy Capen; his daughter, Susan Paterson; his son, Michael Volante; daughter­in law Lisa Volante, and his brother, John “Butch” Volante. He was Grampy to Jackson and Alek Volante, Papa to Nicholas Paterson, and Grampa Bill to Connor Boyd, Sydney Capen, and Colton Capen. He is also remembered fondly by Brian and April Capen, Kim Capen, and Brian Button, and extended family. Bill was a New Englander at heart. He spent his childhood in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He went to Leominster High School, where he was active in multiple sports, including football and baseball. He spent many summers with his family at “The Camp” on Speck Pond. After graduating from Leominster High School, he served in the United States Army in a special operations unit, in Africa, spending several years in Ethiopia and Eritrea. He was honorably discharged in 1965 and remained proud of his service to his country throughout his life. Upon returning home from the Army, Bill enrolled at Fitchburg State College and went on to earn a master’s degree in education with a focus on Special Education, and a minor in History. He began his teaching career in Leominster, Massachusetts. He later became a special education teacher in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, where he also spent several years as head football coach. Throughout those years, Bill also continued working at his father’s restaurant, Cappy’s, located next to the former Whalom Park, where he was a cook, bartender, and occasionally a bouncer. In 1972, he moved his family to Merrimack, New Hampshire to take on a position of Director of Special Education for the Nashua Public School System. He also served as Principle of the Temple Street Elementary School, and the Dr Crisp Elementary School, in Nashua. He spent nearly two decades in the Nashua school system. He was a passionate advocate for improving the quality of education for students and for providing effective resources to teachers. He left education to start a construction and real estate development company with two partners. The team built several subdivisions in Bow New Hampshire and surrounding communities. After several years, Bill returned to education. He took a role as teacher and eventually House Master in the Merrimack Middle School. He retired from teaching and joined his best friend, Skip Watkins, on many small construction and renovation projects throughout the Merrimack area. Bill had many passions and found great joy in spending time with family and friends. Over the years, he enjoyed trolling for bass on Speck Pond, fly fishing in the White Mountains, deep-sea fishing, downhill skiing, camping, golf, and Funday Sundays at the pool. He also loved coaching athletics and helping students recognize their potential and worth. Family and close friends will have a private celebration of life followed by military service at the Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH.