William F. Brewin, 86

Shrewsbury - Honorable Justice William F. Brewin, Retired, 86, formerly of Southborough and Marlborough, died Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 at UMass Memorial Healthcare in Worcester after an illness.

He leaves his wife of 29 years, Patricia (Boughan) Boyle Brewin; his son, William Brewin Jr.; his daughters, Ellen Brewin and her husband, Mark Mitchell, and Dorothy Brewin; his son-in-law, John Pfeiff er; his sister, Rita Oram; eight grandchildren; and one greatgrandson. He was also the father of M. Catherine Pfeifer, who died in 2002, and former husband of the late Dorothy (Golden) Brewin.

Born in Marlborough, the son of Joseph and Cora (Maxwell) Brewin, he lived most of his life in Marlborough. He graduated from Marlborough High School in 1937 and from Boston College in 1941.

Mr. Brewin served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, reaching the rank of lieutenant. On his return, he graduated from Boston College Law School in 1950, and in 1951 started a law practice in Marlborough, where he was involved until 1976. From 1964 to 1977, he was special justice of the Westborough District Court, appointed by then-Gov. Endicott Peabody. In 1977, he was appointed First Justice of the Westborough District Court, retiring in 1990.

He was the city of Marlborough solicitor for several years and town counsel for a few years for the town of Southborough. A member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and Middlesex, Boston, South Middlesex and Worcester Bar associations, he was also a member and past commander of the Marlborough American Legion. In addition, he was a member of Marlborough DAV Chapter 82, the Marlborough Country Club and Bolton Street Association; a member and fourth degree Knights of Columbus; and a former member of the Holy Name Society.

Funeral services were held Aug. 11 from the John P. Rowe Funeral Home of Marlborough, with burial at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Marlborough. Memorial donations may be made to Boston College Law Scholarship Fund, 885 Centre St., Newton, MA 02459.