William E. Minichiello

Dr. William E. Minichiello, former resident of Natick, Milton and South Boston, passed away on December 20, 2024, at the age of 89.

He was the son of Aurelio and Concetta (Chinchiolo) Minichiello. He is survived by his cherished daughters, Elizabeth McKeen and Ann Marie Charlsen (Dean), and beloved grandchildren, Luke McKeen, Delaney McKeen, Emma Charlsen, Julian Charlsen and Tristin Charlsen, his sister, Carol Minichiello, many nieces and nephews, and his best friend and loving companion of 35 years, Marcia J. Rosenthal.

Dr. Minichiello was a 1953 graduate of Boston Latin School, St. John's Seminary class of 1961, and received his master’s degree from Boston College in 1968 and his doctorate from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1971. He was ordained a Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Boston in 1961 and served from 1961-1969 the parishes of St. Luke's in Belmont, St. Mary's in Ayer and St. Leo's in Dorchester. He was a co-founder and first president of the Association of Boston Urban Priests (ABUP) and served as a Lt. Commander in the U.S Navy Chaplain Corps from 1961-1969.

After receiving his doctoral degree, he worked as a clinical psychologist at the East Boston-Winthrop Mental Health Center from 1971-1974 before joining the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychiatry where he served as Chief Psychologist of the Psychosomatic Medicine Unit and later as Chief Psychologist of the Behavior Therapy Unit. He co-founded and was Associate Director of the MGH OCD Institute at McLean Hospital in 1996 and was Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School until his retirement in 2017. He maintained a private practice until December 2024.

Dr. Minichiello was a strong supporter of civil rights and poverty organizations, as well as progressive political candidates. Spending time with family, especially his grandchildren, was always a top priority.

His interest in history and antiquities led to his love of travel with Marcia to countries around the world, including Australia, Cuba, China, and a dozen countries in Europe.

Funeral from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street, NATICK COMMON, on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 10:00 am. A Funeral Mass will follow at St. Zepherin’s Church, 99 Main Street, Wayland at 11:00 am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment will follow at Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. Visiting Hours at the funeral home on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

Donations in his memory may be made to The Catholic Worker, 36 E. 1st St., New York, NY 10003 or to the Southern Poverty Law Centre, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, Alabama 36104

For online guestbook and directions, please visit: www.everettfuneral.com

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