WESTFIELD – Robert “Bob” Welch Gardner, 91, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great- grandfather passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at Noble Hospital. He was born in Westfield on March 28, 1923 to the late Milton F. and Mary A. (Welch) Gardner. He was a 1942 graduate of Westfield High School.
Bob proudly served his country as a Corporal in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was an Operator and Signalman for the New York Central Railroad, Boston and Albany Division for 13 years. He was a self-employed plumber for 35 years retiring in 1985. Bob also was the Civil Defense Director for the City of Westfield from 1960-1988 and the Plumbing Inspector for the Town of Blandford and The Town of Russell. Bob was very active in his community as a 66 year member of the Mt. Moriah Lodge and a 32nd degree Mason and former Melha member.
He was an Antique Gas and Steam Engine enthusiast belonging to clubs from Maine to Florida. In Parrish Florida he was a Locomotive Engineer for the Florida Gulf Coast Rail Road Museum. He was a member of the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees Inc. (NARVRE), the National Rifle Association (NRA), American Legion Post 454 Lifetime Member, Mass Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association, the American Radio Relay League, (W1NRK), New England Association Plumbing, Gas and Mechanical Inspectors Inc.
In addition to his parents, Robert was predeceased by his brothers, Richard and Roger Gardner; his sister, Laura Tarbell; and his son-in-law, Robert Ritchie. He leaves his loving wife of 71 years, Vera (Evans) Gardner; his son, Robert M. Gardner Sr. and his wife, Anne of Russell, MA; his 3 daughters, Nancy Ritchie of Westfield, Susan Provost and her husband, Gerald of Chicopee, and Linda Mullen and her husband, Patrick of Westfield; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank Dr. Kingra and his staff and also, the staff at All About You, Genesis Health Care, Noble Hospital for their wonderful care.
Services for Bob will be at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home. For more information please visit: www.forastierefuneralhome.com.
