Robert “Bob” Newton of Wayland and Charlestown, RI, died peacefully on May 24, 2022.
Born August 3rd, 1943, in Providence Rhode Island, Bob was the son of the late Mortimer and Margaret Newton and the beloved husband of the late Patricia (Dines) Newton.
Father of Christopher Newton and his wife Erin (Chase) of Wayland and Matthew Newton and his wife Deanna (Robitaille) of Charlestown, RI. Cherished grandfather of Somerby, Ailie and Colin Newton of Wayland and Robby, Mike and Annie of Charlestown, RI. Devoted brother of Mary Jane and her husband Paul Goudreau of Randolph, NJ, Mortimer Newton and his wife Mary (McGann) of East Greenwich RI and Margaret (Newton) and her husband Joe Deslaurier of Charlestown, RI. Bob was also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, in-laws and close friends.
As a child growing up in West Warwick, Rhode Island, Bob developed many lasting friendships that he maintained throughout his lifetime. Very early in life, Bob exhibited leadership and engineering skills. At only eight years old, he gathered scraps of lumber in the neighborhood and built a clubhouse for his friends in the woods behind his home. He christened the clubhouse, "The Home of the South Street Tigers" and became its first president. Bob’s friendships continued throughout his schooling and he graduated from West Warwick (Deering) High School as an accomplished student and All State basketball player. A proud alumnus of the University of Rhode Island, Bob earned his degree in Electrical engineering and was an avid basketball fan of the URI Rams.
After graduation, Bob worked for Westinghouse Corporation where he forged many influential business relationships and met his lifelong partner and wife, Patricia (Dines). Following his career at Westinghouse, Bob worked at the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority before starting his own business, Eastern Transit Products, in Natick. The company rose from modest beginnings to become a major worldwide supplier of electrical products to mining, railroad and transit industries. In 2015, Bob’s son, Chris, joined Bob at Eastern Transit Products, working alongside Bob to carry the family company into the future.
Married on November 20, 1976, Bob and Pat moved to Wayland, to start a family and raise their sons, Chris and Matt. Both active members of the community, Bob and Pat were devoted fans at their sons’ athletic events, cheering on their boys at youth, high school and collegiate games. For years, Bob volunteered as the President of Pop Warner Football and managed the down markers at Chris and Matt’s high school football games. A sports enthusiast, Bob was a Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots fan, tuning into games whenever he could and sharing his love of sport with his family, especially his sons and grandchildren.
In the summers, Bob and his family spent their time boating, fishing, and waterskiing in Green Hill Pond in Charlestown, RI. For several years, he was a director of the Ocean Ridge Civic Association (ORCA), an organization committed to keeping Green Hill Pond clean and safe for swimming and recreational boating. Bob shared his passion for the ocean with his wife, sons and grandchildren, and his legacy can be found in their continued appreciation for the natural waterways.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, June 5, 2022 from 4:00 to 7:00 at John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Rd, Wayland, MA.
His Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, June 6, 2022 at 10:30 am at Saint Zepherin Church (Good Shepherd Parish), 99 Main Street (Rte. 27), Wayland.
Burial will follow in the Newton family lot in Lakeview Cemetery, Wayland, MA.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests that gifts in memory of Robert Newton be made to the Boston Children’s Hospital Trust: CAPE Program 97820, 300 Longwood Ave Badger 634, Boston, MA 02115.