NATICK: Vasil P. “Bill” Chala, age 81, passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2016, at his Malden home. Born and raised in Natick, he was a son of the late Peter and Kleanthi (David) Chala.
Bill’s parents died while he was young. His elder sister and guiding light, Genevieve, married and settled in Somerville while he was in high school. He thus graduated with the Somerville High School Class of 1954. He continued his education at DePaul University. Bill served with the Army after the Korean War and was stationed in Chicago. After his service obligations he opted to remain in Chicago where he became employed as an office manager with Universal Metal Finishing. In 1976, he returned to the area and worked for several years in the same capacity for H.E. Harris & Co. in Boston. Bill subsequently worked in the same capacity at Comfort Pillow and Feather of Somerville, Union Bookbinding in Medford, and the Brudnick Company from which he retired.
A longtime Medford resident, he was a gentle man whose greatest passion was music. Blessed with a fine singing voice, he travelled to Italy in 1966 to study voice. He liked to say that he left a tenor and returned a baritone. His greatest affinity was for opera and he was a member of both the American Opera Company of Chicago and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Bill shared his gift as the longtime Choir Director at Holy Trinity Albanian Orthodox Church in So. Boston. Devoted to his family, friends and church, Bill will best be remembered sitting at the piano and singing with all his heart.
He is survived by a brother, James P. Chala and his partner Sara Leach of Apple Valley, CA; a niece, Stephanie A. Stevens of West Newbury; and a number of caring family members and friends. He was also predeceased by siblings Anna Mano, Polaxena Smith, Christ Chala, Genevieve Stevens, and Mary Chao.
His funeral service will be held at the Albanian Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 37 Washington Street, Natick, on Wednesday, December 28th at 11:00a.m. Burial will follow at Dell Park Cemetery.
Visiting hours will be in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, on Tuesday, 1 – 4PM. Donations in Bill’s memory may be made to Holy Trinity Albanian Orthodox Church, PO Box 224, South Boston, MA 02127 or the Annunciation Orthodox Church, 37 Washington St., Natick, MA 01760.