Mr. Robert F. Barnes Obituary (1947

Robert (Bob) F. Barnes, 70, of Attleboro died peacefully on March 10, 2018 at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in the Brighton section of Boston. He was the beloved husband of Pamela (Phinney) Barnes for 28 years. Born in the very same aforementioned Brighton hospital on August 10, 1947, Robert was the son of the late Annamae (O’Toole) and C. Frank Barnes. Bob grew up in the Merrymount neighborhood of Quincy, MA and attended local public schools there until high school, where he attended Cardinal Newman Preparatory School in Boston, graduating in 1965. After high school, he attended Boston College for 1 year before enlisting in the United States Army in 1966, gaining the rank of Specialist E-5. During his tour of duty, Bob worked as the base manager of dental clinics and supervisor for enlisted personnel, while also performing the duties of Dental Hygienist. Bob was honorably discharged in 1972, after which he immediately enrolled at American International College (AIC) in Springfield, MA. To finance his college education, Bob took advantage of the GI Bill of Rights which provided money for college tuition and expenses for Veterans. At AIC, Bob majored in Accounting, while working in area restaurants to supplement his income. In quick order, he had earned a B.S. in Accounting by 1974. Robert worked in the accounting field for many years at various locales throughout the East Coast, eventually settling in the Attleboro area. Accounting did not turn out to be his “cup of tea” however, and soon he focused his attention on floral design. After attending the New England School of Floral Design, Bob opened up a roadside floral stand on Route 152 in N. Attleboro, naming his business bloomin’ bob’s budget bouquets. For more than a decade, Bob provided his Attleboro area customers with fresh flowers for all occasions from holidays to weddings. He prided himself in making bouquet specials for errant boyfriends or husbands such as the “Get Back in the Big Bed Special” and the “Outta the Doghouse Bouquet” among others. People came from all around to purchase colorful Thanksgiving centerpieces, Easter lilies, and Valentine’s rose bouquets from bloomin’ bob. When illness prevented Bob from continuing the business, he turned his attentions to his family and his dogs. As owner of multiple poodles and shih tzus, there was always a furball available to sit on his lap. When his mother-in-law was ill with dementia, he was dedicated to helping his wife Pam take care of her. He delighted in bringing her along for Sunday drives in the country, and watching golf and football together. Football season was his favorite time of year. Bob was a HUGE Patriots fan. He never missed a game, making sure to say a prayer before each game for the health and safety of the players on both teams. Of course, he always added a final request that, if it be His Will, our team would win. Given the success of the Patriots, it seems Bob's football prayers were granted often. Blush This past year, Bob enjoyed living next door to his stepdaughter Kendra, son-in-law Evan, and granddaughter Breyer. He loved sitting in the backyard watching Breyer play in the sandbox, or swaying with her in the glider with the dogs. Summer evenings under the stars with family became his favorite pastime. Bob also looked forward to stepson, Patrick's visits from his job overseas which always included fried clam dinners at his favorite restaurants, and family time around the kitchen table. Robert is survived by his adoring wife Pam, stepson Patrick Nadeau and fiancee Tracey Leigh, stepdaughter Kendra and son-in-law Evan Dubuc, and granddaughter Breyer Leigh, all of Attleboro. He is also survived by sister Bernadette and brother-in-law Leonard Boddy, of Nokomis, FL, two nephews, Scott and LD, and a niece, Lauren Boddy. Son Matthew Barnes of South Carolina, and daughter Jodi Barnes of New York, NY also survive him. Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, March 18, 2018 from 2 to 4 pm at the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, 20 Peck Street, Attleboro. A funeral will be conducted on Monday, March 19, 2018 at 10 a.m. from the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 a.m., in St. John the Evangelist Church, 133 North Main St., Attleboro. A reception for refreshments and reminiscing will be held immediately following the Mass in the Hall directly behind the Church. Bring pictures and stories to share. A private burial will take place the next day at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in West Roxbury.