FRANKLIN, MA - Robert Ellsworth Gustin III, 58, passed away peacefully after a
4-month illness on Monday, May 27, 2013 at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Sally (Thies) Gustin.
Bob was born on November 18, 1954 in Boston, the son of Ann E. (Sweeney) Gustin LaCortiglia of Braintree, and the late Robert E. Gustin Jr. He was also the stepson of the late John LaCortiglia and the late Barbara Gustin. He had been a resident of Franklin for the past 25 years.
Bob grew up in Saugus and was a 1973 graduate of Malden Catholic High School.
Bob pursued and obtained the career path he set out to achieve. His passion was artistic design, and his strength was in his ability to connect with people, bringing to print, their vision and message.
The road was marked with small persistent steps as he worked as a salesman for Thom McAn, and later a shrimp inspector at New England Shrimp Company. He never lost sight of his goal, and landed his first advertising position at The Real Paper in May of 1979. He would go on to work as an Account Executive for David Wilson Associates for seventeen years.
In 1998, Bob founded Gustin Advertising in Franklin, MA. For 15 years, he was the company’s CEO and Creative Director.
Bob was a man of creativity and passion, who brought color and design to all aspects of his life. Aside from building his business, Bob could be found painting oil landscapes on canvas, building classic furniture in his woodshop, playing golf, fishing central Vermont rivers and lakes, or in the kitchen preparing his signature “gravy.” Wherever he was, he was found with a smile and a sense of humor, and his hobbies were avenues to be with the ones he loved.
He was the devoted father of Jessalyn Gustin of Middletown Springs, VT, Andrew Robert Gustin and his wife Jackie of Walpole, and Casey Gustin of Franklin. He leaves his grandchildren Nolan and Juliet and a very special niece, Kourtney Lynch of Franklin.
Bob is also survived by his siblings Ann Louise Gustin Lynch of Braintree, Cheryl Gustin Tervakoski and her husband Tony of Quincy, Alice McConville of Quincy, William Gustin and his wife Laura of Quincy, Kenneth Gustin and his wife Patricia of Rockland, Deborah Matthies and her husband Mike of Quincy, Richard Gustin and his wife Angela of Bridgewater, John LaCortiglia of Melrose and David Gustin of Quincy.
He is survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be held at Ginley Funeral Home, 131 Main Street, Franklin on Monday, June 3 at 11:15 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 pm at St. Mary Catholic Church, One Church Square, Franklin, MA. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting hours will be held Sunday, June 2 from 4-8 pm.
Interment will take place at a later date at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004. The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the many health care professionals who cared for Bob over the last several months.