Barton, Robert “Bob” of Needham Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, January 14, 2015, surrounded by his family.
He leaves behind Stephanie [Purcell] Barton, his wife of 59 yrs, and his seven children: Robert Jr. and Sallie Barton of Attleboro, Ken and Su Barton of Londonderry NH, John and Jean Barton of Haverhill, Stephanie and Jim Mahoney of Winchendon, Kathryn and Robert Sutherland of Framingham, Susan and James Ridlen of Mansfield, and Amy and James “Jay” Adams of NH. He is also the beloved grandfather of 18 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
On July 7, 1934 in Brighton, Massachusetts, Bob was the youngest of four children born to James M. Barton and Alice Ruth (Quebec) Barton. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Ruth Ftorek, brother Richard and Richard’s wife Peg Barton. He is survived by brother James and Nita Barton and brother-in-law Stephen Ftorek.
Bob attended Northeastern University in the Engineering program, was Army ROTC and played quarterback on their varsity football team. He earned a BS in Civil Engineering in 1957 and a MS in Structural Engineering as well as an MBA in 1964 from Northeastern University. He met and wed Stephanie A. Purcell in his Junior year and had nearly completed his family upon the attainment of his dual MS/MBA.
Bob was the recognized leader in the ready mix concrete Industry, having served as executive director of the Massachusetts Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association (MACAPA) until 1999. He began his career as a structural engineer, designing several bridges in the commonwealth including key design elements of the Lowell Connector. Bob continued as an executive at Rosenfeld Concrete, McNamara Ready Mix and Fafard Development. He is a past president of the Boston Post Society of Military Engineers, active member of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers, Association of General Contractors and the American Concrete Institute.
With a deep devotion to Divine Mercy, Bob had been a daily presence at St Joseph’s Parish in Needham for 55 years, most recently as daily communicant and lector. In addition to years of service to the parish and school, serving on several boards and committees, he was an active member of the Knights of Columbus.
Bob was an extremely generous man; giving freely of his time and resources, and was a difference maker in all his pursuits. His fierce love of family and close friends were his joy; and he often celebrated this abundance as he loved gatherings, which often he and Stephanie hosted. A man of tremendous integrity and deep faith, we are forever grateful for and influenced by his example. He will be missed.
Visiting hours will be held from 4p-8p on Monday, January 19 at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave, NEEDHAM. Funeral Mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Needham will be celebrated at 10am Tuesday January 20. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Needham.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to The Divine Mercy Ministries, PO Box 716, Stockbridge, MA 01262.