Robert A. Brown Jr.

GARDNER - Robert Arthur Brown Jr passed away on February 21, 2015 at home with his family by his side after a long illness.  He most recently resided at 15 Carriage Court, Merrimac Massachusetts but was a long time resident of Gardner, Massachusetts where he resided at 135 Chelsea Street.

Bob, known to his family and friends as Chunky, was born in Marlborough, Massachusetts, on July 4, 1932.  He was the son of the late Robert Arthur Brown and Louisa (Dietz) Brown.  He graduated from Templeton High School in 1950 and married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Morrison on April 26, 1952 at the East Templeton Methodist church.

He served in the US Army from December 1952 through December of 1954 when he was honorably discharged.  He was stationed in Lompoc, California.  He worked for Conant & Ball Furniture Company for 34 years, Lilly Chemical for 10 years and finally at the Greenwood Memorial Pool for 10 years.

Bob was one of the early members of the Gardner Skin Divers Club and served as a member of the Civil Defense under water rescue team.  He was involved in local Boy Scouts and coached in the Gardner Little League.

He truly loved the ocean and scuba diving but also enjoyed woodworking, gardening, skiing, and various other outdoor activities.

He is survived by his loving wife, of 62 years, Kathleen, his son Robert Arthur Brown, III and his wife Gail (Beauregard) Brown of No. Hampton, NH, his son Randall Morrison Brown and his girlfriend Tracy Barusso of Gloucester, and his daughter Robin Lee Brown of Merrimac.  Bob is also survived by his sisters Nancy Whiting of Philipston, Janice Howard of Philipston, Linda Stoddard of Gardner, Paula Niemela of Gardner and his brother Mark Brown of Leominster.  His  grandchildren; Paul Michael Erickson, Robert Arthur Brown IV, Chelsea Marie Brown and Alex Barusso and great grandchild Presley Jean Erickson made him very proud.

Bob was also very proud of all his many nieces and nephews.

Bob was loved by many and will be truly missed.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 27th at 11 A.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon.  The Rev. Dr. R. Gary Heikkila will officiate.

A calling hour will be held in the funeral home Friday from 10 to 11 A.M. preceding the funeral.

Memorial donations may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215.

www.stone-ladeau.com

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