Robert W Milbery

Robert William Milbery  "Bob" of Maple St., Plympton, husband of the late Isabel Hogg,  passed away peacefully in his home early Thursday morning October 6th, 2016. Born in Brockton Bob was raised by his parents Frank and Elva Milbery on Blake St. in Whitman. Bob spent much of his growing up years during the school year with his maternal  grandparents Abram and Lila Smith of Harvard St., Whitman. Bob was an only child and a much doted on nephew of Pearl (Smith) Martin and Mabel Smith.  During summer school vacations he worked and lived with the Milbery grandparents on West Elm St. in Pembroke. There he helped to run the family business "Milbery Farm Stand".  His cousins who also worked the farm wanted to know why Bob always got the tractor job?!  When Bob was old enough, he was allowed to stay in the  bunk house with the hired farm hands.  He had many a colorful story to tell !  Bob said that "He was a quiet listener and learned a lot."  On April 2,1943 Bob enlisted in the Navy, leaving High School before his formal graduation.  His father Frank Milbery proudly accepted his diploma on his behalf. Bob spent three years in the Navy as an "Aviation Metalsmith Third Class" ( repairing fighter planes ). Bob was honorably discharged from the Navy in April of 1946 receiving The World WarII Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.  On August 10,1946  he married Isabel Hogg of Whitman. He and Isabel bought a home on Circuit St. in Hanover and raised two children there. In 1967, they bought eleven acres of land in Plympton, built their dream house and moved to the "sticks".

Over the span of his 92 years Bob had built up quite a resume, all of which come with a great story. In the early years after the service Bob went to work for his grandfather, "The Old Gent" on the Milbery Farm, working in the fields and tending the animals. That job always supplied a new memory to surface at Dad's annual birthday brunch.  Dad had a strong love for all of his cousins and they for him.  The late Jimmy Anderson was the jokester of the group.  Loren Mann had a more serious dry sense of humor and was the wing man. Louisa,  the quiet giggly one and our dear sweet Diney, the baby of the group (who we just recently lost) reveled in every second of them all being together.  After the farm job Dad was a milk truck driver for Ridder Farm. I can still hear the clanging of the milk bottles as he drove into our driveway. Next, Dad worked for Colburn Vault Company and he had a little mock vault in his closet that was a piggy bank. In the 1960's Vietnam was ramping up and Dad went to work for a munitions factory in Hanover called Atlantic Research.  To hear explosions was fairly normal and Dad refered to that place as "Atlantic Boom-n Banger". The next career change came when he took a job at Haliday Lithograph in Plympton.  It was an indoor job and not as exciting or interesting to him as any of his past choices, so he moved on.  Waste water treatment was the "new" thing so Bob went to school to learn what that was all about.  Before retiring, his last official job was being in charge of the waste water treatment plant at Silver Lake High School. Dad was very civic minded, and got involved.  He was the Captain of (volunteer) Company Three Fire Stations in West Hanover, and after moving to Plympton he joined the volunteer Fire Department there. At that time he was among the first to be trained to be an EMT by Dr. William Babson of Jordan Hospital. Bob also went to the Police Academy and joined the Plympton Police force. He was a Master Mason for sixty eight years and belonged to the Puritan Lodge in East Bridgewater. He was a  man in constant motion.  Bob had to have "completion" at the end of each day. In 1960 he started a side business out of his garage called Hanover Mower Service, selling and repairing lawn mowers. From there he branched out to a welding service and a road side mowing contract with the town of Norwell. In his younger days he had a great interest in "go cart racing" and family camping trips to Moosehead Lake in Maine.  As middle age set in Bob and his wife Isabel were flea market vendors with their life long friends Leo and Annie DiMestico. Loving all things "engine" it was only natural that Bob would discover "one lunger engines", or "hit and miss" as they are called. Bob was very active in the Cranberry Flywheel Club and loved going to the engine shows. Going back to his farming roots Bob raised and sold Rhododendrons from his back field, that's when he got his first big outdoor "toy",  a Kubota tractor... oh no I'm wrong, he bought a bulldozer to dig the foundation for their dream house in the sticks. His cousin Jimmy Gallant gave him expert advice, and when the job was done he sold the bulldozer for the same money as he had paid. Dad was a Swamp Yankee thru and thru!  Bob was a 4H leader, and served on many town committees. He was an inspiration to me and I would bet to many others. 

Over the years Bob's favorite job was raising his two children Peter and Christine. His late son Peter married Rebecca Denham, and they raised five children, Jason (married to Stephanie VonAlom) has five children, and one grandchild.  Ben (married to Courtney Briggs has three children) Seth (married to Bonnie Baenzig), Julia ( married to Rocco Gallotti with one child ) and Nathaniel (who will soon be tying the knot with Bria). His daughter Christine is married to Joe Barow and they have two daughters. Heather (married to Mike Eori and they have one daughter with another daughter on the way) Sarah (married to Scott Sanson).  Dad loved his property and with the help of some very special people he was able to stay at home to watch his birds and admire what he had created. I owe a debt of gratitude to Heidi Coombs. I lovingly refer to her as the Cruise Director.  Dad and she were a perfect fit.  Dad loved to check out the canal or the water front and any new construction going on. They had a great routine, anything Dad wanted.  Next to come our way was Jeanine Walsh our weekend "driver", more exotic long distance truck excursions.  Jeanine learned from Dad that when you get lost, you never turn back!  Last to join our gaggle of gals was Jill Pitman, our "cheerleader" who would read aloud the the local "rag" and together they'd discuss and solve all of the town problems!  My family and friends kept us going. Dads friends proved to be the treasures he said they were. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. A special thanks to all at Cranberry Hospice, especially Julie.  So call him what you will ...Bob, Bobby,Robbie, Uncle Bob, Mr.Milbery, Dad, Grampa, "Grampa-Grampa" he will be sorely missed by all. XOX

A graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery (Corner of Rte. 58 and No. Main St) in Plympton on Tuesday Oct. 11th at 11 AM.  Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend.  Robert was a Veteran of W.W. ll U.S. Navy. For more information or to write an online condolence visit www.mackinnonfuneralhomes.com

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