WELLESLEY, Mass. – William Melville Cluff, an Auburn native and former teacher in the Wellesley, Mass., public schools, passed away peacefully at the home of his son Barry on Feb. 13, three days after celebrating his 90th birthday. Bill was incredibly fortunate to have been alert right to the end of his life and enjoyed visits from friends and the constant attention of his cherished family during his final days.

Born in Auburn on Feb. 10, 1916, the son of William T. and Zoe Cluff, he attended the Lake Street School and graduated from Edward Little High School in 1933. He subsequently enrolled at Bentley College, where he earned a degree in accounting.

After his service in World War II, he credited the safety of Portland Harbor to his fine work there! He and his wife, Winifred, lived on Lake Street in Auburn, as he worked at the Androscoggin Bank. Their sons, Greg and Barry, were born in the old Central Maine General Hospital in Lewiston.

He and Win relocated to Waterville, as he began his career as an accountant for Scott Paper Co. in Winslow. This was a desk job which proved to be ill-suited for his outgoing nature. He returned to college to become a teacher and graduated from Husson College in Bangor in 1959, having been elected class president at the tender age of 43! He later earned a master’s degree in education at Framingham State College. Both he and Win were recruited by the Wellesley public schools and began teaching there in 1960.

He was an engaging typing and business math teacher at Wellesley Junior High School, until his retirement in 1980. In addition to their work as teachers, for several summers during the 1960s he and Win owned and managed Camp Taconnet, a family resort in Belgrade Lakes. He enjoyed the beach immensely and spent many happy years in Ogunquit and Naples, Fla., where he was an enthusiastic, if not naturally gifted, tennis player!

In retirement, he became a highly skilled maker of Nantucket Lightship baskets. As his body slowed down, this sedentary activity was a perfect outlet for two of his passions: handicrafts, which he had done throughout his life, and his family, upon which he generously bestowed many of his works of art. He also enjoyed selling his baskets at local craft fairs and shops in Wellesley and Concord, Mass., and always kept an accountant’s keen eye on the status of his “basket account.”

Without a doubt, the love of and for his family and their many gatherings for birthdays, graduations and holidays sustained him in his later years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Winifred of Wellesley; his older sister, Doris (Cluff) Jenkins of Auburn; his “Wellesley family” of son, Barry, daughter-in-law, Susan and grandsons, Adam and Ben and the “Vermonters” of son, Greg, daughter-in-law, Lynn, granddaughter, Amy and grandson, Brett.

His sisters, Jeanette and Ruth, predeceased him in 2003.

His keen sense of humor, active to his dying day, unique fashion sense and commitment to his family are just a few of the wonderful qualities his loved ones will miss.