Robert W. Best, 89
Dateline: Norton, MA
Robert W. Best, 89, of Norton, formerly of Attleboro, passed away peacefully on Thursday July 7, 2011 at the Epoch Senior Healthcare Center in Norton. He was the beloved husband of Nancy B. (Blumenthal) Best, to whom he was wed for 56 years.
Born in New Bedford, MA on May 8, 1922, he was a son of the late Chester A.W. and Elizabeth (Higham) Best.
Bob grew up in New Bedford and was educated in New Bedford Public Schools. He was a 1940 graduate of New Bedford High School, attended Bentley College in Boston and was a graduate of the University of PA Wharton School of Business.
Mr. Best was a retired Director of Purchasing at Swank Inc. in Attleboro, where he had worked for over 40 years prior to retiring.
Bob raised his family in Norton. He later moved to Attleboro where he resided for over 25 years and most recently moved back to Norton where he had made his home for the past 3 ½ years.
Mr. Best was involved in numerous civic affairs. He was a former member of the Norton Lions Club, where he also served as a past King Lion. He was a former charter member and a past president of the Bearcroft Swim Club in Attleboro, was a former member of the Norton Finance Committee, a former member of the Board of Directors at the Daggett-Crandall- Newcomb Home in Norton, a former member of the Attleboro Chamber of Commerce and had formerly served on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Greater Attleboro/Taunton.
An avid golfer, Bob was a former member of the Highland Country Club in Attleboro. He was an avid New England sports fan, the Red Sox being his favorite team.
Family was the focal point of his life and while living at Epoch of Norton he served on, and was a former president of the residents council.
In addition to his beloved wife, he is also survived by his devoted children Tracy L. Grilli and her husband David of Londonderry, NH, Kim E. Kephart and her husband Chris of Copper Canyon, TX, A. Michael and his wife Mindy Lank of Peter Dana Point, Maine and the late Susan Breakell. The brother of the late Richard Best, he is also survived by his cherished grandchildren Victoria Grilli, Luke Grilli, Michael Kephart, Ashley Kephart, Michael Best, Krystal Best and Anthony Best.
Memorial services, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Sunday July 17th at 3:00 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home 19 Clapp St. (Off Route 140, Taunton Ave.) Norton. Private burial will be at a later date in the Pine Grove Cemetery, New Bedford.
Visitation will be held prior to the services on Sunday afternoon beginning at 2:00 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, Bob’s family has requested that donations in his memory be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472. www.alzmass.org
For additional information please visit www.nortonmemorial.com