Robert Allan Pickering of Whitman, MA, age 63, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on July 17, 2014 at the Brockton Hospital. Born on April 19, 1951, he was the oldest son of the late Robert A. Pickering and the late Grace T. (Roberts) Pickering. He attended Quincy Vocational Technical High School, and later earned his G.E.D. from Massasoit College.
Bob worked for K & H Contractors in Dorchester, MA, the Polaroid Corporation, and the Town of Whitman DPW before settling into a career that lasted over 30 years with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a surveying aide and, most recently, as a construction inspector. He retired in 2009 due to health issues, and greatly missed his daily routine on the highways of the state, making sure everything was in order, and communicating with the public and the police to ensure the safety of all. He would always proudly point out the reflectors that his crews had installed on long stretches of the major highways in southeastern Massachusetts. He also worked for his former boss, Jack Adams, and his son, Sean, on Saturdays, spending the day helping them survey various properties in the area.
Bob grew up in the Germantown area of Quincy before moving to Weymouth. He joined the U.S. Navy, but left on a medical leave to help support his mom and seven brothers and sisters after his dad had a heart attack. He met his wife, Linda, at a dance at the Surf on Nantasket Beach in Hull, MA. They dated for two years, and were married on June 23, 1973. After living in a N. Easton apartment for a year, they moved to Abington, where they lived for six years. Shortly after the birth of their first daughter, Jillian, they moved to Whitman, where they soon had a son, Bobby, and a second daughter, Ellen. Bob loved his wife and children, and greatly enjoyed celebrating birthdays, holidays, and vacations with them.
Bob served in the National Guard for about six years. He also has been a long-time member of the Masons at Puritan Lodge, as well a member of both the Oddfellows and the Tall Cedars. He enjoyed golf, bowling, and fishing with his brothers, his children, and especially his grandson, Justin. Before his illness, he accompanied his mom and sister, Judy, to Bingo once a week. During his recent illnesses, he found great comfort spending time with his loveable black Lab/ Mastiff dog, Charlie.
Bob was the beloved husband of Linda (Kerr) Pickering for over 41 years. He was the loving father of Jillian, Bobby, and Ellen Pickering, all of Whitman, and the dear Papa of his only grandson, Justin Pickering. Bob had two sisters, Gayle Martz and her husband, Tom, of Pennsylvania, and Judith Kerr and her husband, the late Michael Kerr of Abington. In addition, Bob had five brothers; Gary Pickering and his wife, Sue, of N. Weymouth, the late Mark Pickering and his wife, Mary, of Abington, Donald Pickering and his wife, Debbie, of Pembroke, David Pickering and his wife, Paula, of Florida, and John Pickering of Milton. In addition, he is survived by his mom’s sister and wonderful aunt, Pauline Roberts, of Quincy, as well as by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Wednesday, July 23 at Life Quest Community Church, 356 South Avenue in Whitman at 4:30 PM. A light meal will follow the service. Burial will be private.
Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, July 22, at Blanchard Funeral Chapel in Whitman from 5-8 PM. There will be a masonic service held at 7:00PM
In lieu of flowers, the family has set up a fund to assist with funeral and burial expenses. This fund can be accessed on Facebook.