BIDDEFORD — William “Bill” Amedeo Miniutti (Aug. 18, 1953 to Aug. 17, 2017) passed away peacefully at Gosnell Memorial Hospice Home in Scarborough this past Thursday, one day shy of his 64th birthday. 

Bill was the fourth of 10 children raised by Jack and Catherine Miniutti in Biddeford, Maine. He attended local schools, including Biddeford High School Class of 1971 where he was involved in student government and sports. He was a proud member of the first Tiger football team to include players from the recently closed, crosstown St. Louis High. Bill was known as the first of his teammates to be accepting and to develop friendships with the former rival players. 

Bill earned a B.A in Business from Colby College in Waterville, graduating in 1975. From Colby, Bill started his career as a sales rep in the steel valve industry, first in Montreal where his favorite highlight was attending much of the 1976 Summer Olympic Games. He moved on to higher level positions in New Jersey and Georgia.  Eventually, Bill returned to Maine in the late 1970s to work with his Dad as the owner of one of the first solar heat companies to open in the state.

In 1980, Bill moved to the West Coast to meet up with a few of his Colby classmates in Orange County, California. Returning to work as a steel valve sales rep, Bill became president of his company’s 500-member employee association. His proudest achievement was growing the company’s simple Christmas Party at a local gym to a gala affair at the swank Newporter Inn – used by NFL teams when participating in the Super Bowl. 

By the late 1980s, Bill returned to his native state to start his own business, Prime Time Painting.  Soon after, his Dad suffered a stroke, so Bill moved back into the family home to be his Dad’s live-in caregiver while continuing to operate his painting business. During this time period and until present day, Bill developed many great friendships through the Old Orchard Beach community.  Even from a young age Bill was often quoted as stating, “My friends are my greatest asset…..and pleasure!” 

Bill had a love for writing stories and poetry.  He was a passionate fan of the Patriots.  However, Bill was best known for as the fun-loving guy who cared deeply for his friends and family.

Throughout his years, Bill continued his quest to expand his social circle and enjoy life to its fullest.  In his own words, he wished to be known as “someone who gave unselfishly to those he loved and lived life like there was no tomorrow.”  Many of his friends and family would tell you he succeeded well at this goal. 

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Amedeo ‘Jack’ Miniutti and Catherine Neary Miniutti.  Surviving are his nine siblings: Patrick Miniutti and wife Aline of Vaughan, Ontario, Canada; Peggy Wilson and husband Don of Biddeford; Michael Miniutti and wife Terri of Minnetonka, Minnesota; Kathy Rhodes of Dallas, Texas; Mary Fleurant and husband Don of Arundel; Jane Miniutti and husband Steve Hayes of Arundel; John Miniutti of Holly Springs, North Carolina; Carol Blau and husband Jeff of Atlanta, Georgia; and David Miniutti and wife Michelle of Roswell, Georgia; plus several nieces, nephews and their children.

Two Memorial Services are planned, both of which are open to all those would like to say farewell to Bill in their own special way.

Friends of Bill will be hosting a Celebration of Life at The Brunswick in Old Orchard Beach.  Time 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23.

A graveside service will be held the following day, Thursday, Aug. 24, 3 p.m., at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Biddeford on Route 1 (Elm St) south of Five Points and just north of the I-95 connector.

In lieu of flowers, the Miniutti family suggests donations be made, at Bill’s request, to The Waterhouse Field Renovations Fund, 20 Maplewood Ave, Biddeford, ME 04005 c/o Joyce Poulin or to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, ME 04074.