ROCKPORT: Robert B. “Bob” Coull, Jr., 86, husband of Priscilla (Brackett) Coull, formerly of Gloucester, died Sunday evening, September 12, 2010 in the Seacoast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center following an extended illness.
Born in Gloucester on January 24, 1924, he was the son of the late Robert B. and Helen (Gibbs) Coull. A lifelong resident of Cape Ann, he was a graduate of Gloucester High School class of 1942.
Bob joined the Armed Forces immediately following graduation and was sent overseas to join the war effort. As a member of the U.S. Army, he was involved in the Battle of the Bridge of Remagen for which he was a recipient of the Purple Heart. He had also participated in the liberation of the Buchenwald Concentration Camp which deeply affected the rest of his life.
Following the war, Bob was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Gloucester up until his retirement. After retiring, he worked for Ciolino’s and Connors Pharmacy.
Bob was proud of his status as Senior Past Master of the Tyrian-Ashler-Acacia Lodge of Gloucester and Senior Past High Priest of William Ferson Royal Arch Chapter. He belonged to the Scottish Rite and the York Rite and he was a member of the Columbian Lodge in Boston. He was frequently asked to deliver the “Charge” for Officers at Installation and Candidates which he did from memory. He also participated in various Shriner events.
He was a member of the Gloucester Elks, was widely known and sought after as a square dance caller and had personal memories of every family in Gloucester because of his experience as a letter carrier. He worked diligently for the WWII Memorial Committee of Gloucester. Bob and his wife were active members of The First Congregational Church of Rockport.
In addition to his wife Priscilla of 21 years, he is survived by two sisters, Nancy, wife of Jud Wilson and Marjorie Sutherland, widow of Paul C. Sutherland, Sr., whom he considered to be his own brother. He is survived by his stepdaughter and son-in-law, Jane and Joe Snowden; sister-in-law, Emma Davis and brother-in-law, Charles Brackett and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and cousins.
His memorial service will be celebrated on Friday in The First Congregational Church, School Street, Rockport at 10:00 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester from 5 to 8 p.m. A Masonic memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Gloucester WWII Memorial Committee, P.O. Box 634, Gloucester, MA 01930. Interment will be held in the Locust Grove Cemetery, Lanesville.