William Palfrey Lamb died unexpectedly, the result of a boating accident on the shores of Little Deer Isle, Maine, on September 1, 2020. He was the son of Hubert W. Lamb and Lydia C. Lamb, and was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on March 28, 1938.
Bill graduated from Harvard College where he was a member of Lowell House and majored in Architectural Sciences, graduating with an A.B. cum laude in 1960. He continued his studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, receiving a master’s in architecture in 1964. He enjoyed a long career as an architect.
Bill Lamb bought a home in Charlestown, Massachusetts, many decades ago, and worked tirelessly to preserve Charlestown’s old structures and ambiance. He received many accolades and honors for his leadership of the Charlestown Preservation Society and the Charlestown Design Review Committee. He treasured his interactions with Charlestown’s citizens and with various officials who responded to his views nourishing the history and character of the community.
Bill’s parents acquired land on Little Deer Isle, Maine, in 1950. Over the course of five summers the family built a cottage looking out over Penobscot Bay, past Pond and Hog Islands, to the Camden Hills. Local carpenter Sherman Parker assisted and made sure every part of the structure was “peavine”. Percy Brown handled the plumbing. Bill’s teenage construction experience led him directly into his life’s work as an architect. Recently Dick Robinson has helped to maintain the property, including repairs (along with Percy Brown’s grandson) when porcupines ate the water line. Bill savored the fragrances of bayberry and spruce, and the natural designs of lichens and rock formations. His hours on Little Deer Isle were among his happiest.
William Lamb is survived by wife Carol Bratley, sisters Lucy Baker (Anthony) and Margaret Lamb, niece Catharine Bartlett (Michael), and grandnieces and grandnephew Audrey Bartlett and Jennifer Bartlett, Seneca DeMello (Brian) and Caleb Staskunas.
LAMB, William Palfrey Architect and Preservationist Age 82, of Charlestown, MA, died unexpectedly at his summer home on Little Deer Isle, ME on September 1, 2020. Bill was born March 28, 1938 in Cambridge, MA to Hubert W. and Lydia C. Lamb of Wayland. He was raised on the grounds of Wellesley College, where his father was a Professor of Music, in the gentle Quaker tradition of his ancestors. He was considerate, honest, hard-working, and kind. He was devoted to his family and his community.
When he was 14, his family acquired land on Little Deer Isle on East Penobscot Bay and began building a summer house of his father's design. Over the next five summers, Bill became a master carpenter and set his sights on a career in architecture. He was also inspired by his father's work with architect Paul Rudolph in the designing of the Jewett Art Center at Wellesley College.
Bill attended Harvard College where he was a member of Lowell House and majored in Architectural Sciences, graduating with an A.B. cum laude in 1960. He continued his studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, receiving a master’s in architecture in 1964.
In the early '70s Bill bought a row house in Charlestown and, with his architectural practice, set out to preserve the old buildings and history of the community. He designed townhouses on Main Street and was instrumental in the depression of the Central Artery under City Square, preserving open space for fellow Bostonians. He was a longtime member of the Charlestown Preservation Society and head of its Design Review Committee, often "fighting City Hall" to protect Charlestown's character. Bill's passion for his work will be sorely missed.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Carol A. Bratley of Charlestown, and sisters-in-law Susan Hornbostel (Peter) of Virginia and Margaret Mamet of France. He is also survived by his sisters Margaret W. Lamb of Questa, NM, and Lucy M. Baker (Tony) of Wells, ME, as well as many nieces and nephews. No Services are planned. A family gathering will be held next summer at StillPoint on Little Deer Isle. Farewell, brother and friend. May thee rest in peace and may thy memory be a blessing.
