OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Antoinette “Toni” Curato Bill, 90, a lifelong resident of Old Orchard Beach, died April 3, 2014, at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough.
She was born in Rumford on Oct. 29, 1923, to Joseph and Concetta (Peperato) Curato.
She was educated in the Rumford school systems and graduated from Stevens High School.
She met Thomas Bill, and after serving in World War II, they married on Nov. 26, 1945 in St. Andrews Church in Rumford.
For several years, she worked for Jordan Marsh department stores in South Portland.
Mrs. Bill was a member of the Sons of Italy of Rumford, a lifelong member of the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Unit 5 of Old Orchard Beach and held the posts as president, vice president and treasurer over the years. After retirement, besides baby-sitting her grandchildren, she volunteered for the voting polls for all elections for Old Orchard Beach and sang in the St. Margaret’s choir for Mass and special services. She loved to sing “Amazing Grace” while in the choir. She was also involved with the parish’s CCD program, the Ladies Sodality of the parish and was instrumental in establishing the Mercy Meal program of the parish.
She was an avid Red Sox and Maine Guides fan and enjoyed bringing her grandchildren to the Maine Guide games.
Mrs. Bill was preceded in death by: her husband, Thomas F. Bill; a son, Thomas F. Bill Jr.; a daughter, Donna Marie Fradette; and a great-grandson, Tyler Bill.
Survivors include: a son, Richard Bill of Old Orchard Beach; a brother, Joseph Curato of Randolf; six grandchildren, Robert Bill, John Bill, Thomas F. Bill III, Timothy Bill, Candace Fradette and Christopher Fradette; and nine great-grandchildren.
Toni was an angel sent to us as a wife, mother and grandmother as well as a relative and friend. She is now in her final resting place to do the work she already did with us and can now look over us all at once. ”“ From her family
Visitation will be Thursday, April 10, 2014 from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Old Orchard Beach Funeral Home, 36 Portland Ave., Old Orchard Beach, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. in St. Margaret’s Church, corner of Saco Avenue and Old Orchard Street. Interment will be later this spring in the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale. Send condolences to oobfuneral@gmail.com. Arrangements are by the Old Orchard Beach Funeral Home.
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