Robert Bob J. Maccini Sr.

Robert J. Maccini, Sr.

Bob Maccini was born at home in North Cambridge, MA on September 25, 1930. During his childhood, Bob played baseball and hockey and was known to “run like the wind”. He spent his youth studying at local schools, graduating from Rindge Technical School in 1949 along with others who would become lifelong friends.

Drafted into the army in 1952, Bob had the opportunity to defer as the only surviving son, but instead chose to serve his country, and he did so valiantly. Following training at Fort Dix and Fort Hood, Bob served in Korea with the Second Infantry Division. Returning home as a Staff Sergeant following nine months on the front lines, Bob was proud to count among his many honors and awards: three Bronze Services Stars, the Combat Infantry Badge (C.I.B.) Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Overseas Combat Medal, and three Presidential Unit Citations. Proud of his service to his country and in recognition of being among the fortunate who returned home, Bob remained active in veteran’s groups throughout his life, including service as an officer of the American Legion, Post 101 in Woburn, MA, where he spent the majority of his life following active military service.

It was in Woburn, that Bob built a life with the love of his life, Trudy (Gertrude) Desharnais. They met at a Cambridge dance club in 1954, and were immediately inseparable, marrying in 1956. It was Bob’s sense of humor that attracted Trudy from the beginning and he remained the life of the party, a fast friend to all. In 1967, Bob and Trudy became proud parents of their son, Robert Maccini, Jr.

But even the life of the party was a perfectionist on the job. Following his service in Korea, Bob attended night school, later progressing through a career path as machinist to tool & die maker, and ultimately to a model maker in the engineering department of the Polaroid Corporation. As proud as he was of his military service, Bob was equally proud of the contributions he made at Polaroid, specifically his work on Polaroid’s last instant camera.

While no longer running like the wind, Bob still remained active throughout life, walking and playing golf, which became a more frequent pursuit following his retirement from Polaroid. Baseball never left him either, as a lifelong avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, in addition to the Boston Bruins and the New England Patriots. And, he and Trudy continued to light up the dance floor.

In 2006, Bob and Trudy relocated to Orlando, FL to be closer to their son and his family. He spent the last several years enjoying the opportunity to spend time with his three grandchildren.

It was Bob’s cherished sense of humor that carried him through the early stages of Alzheimer’s, creating a shield between his friends and family and the progression of his disease. He ultimately succumbed to the disease on November 16, 2011.

Bob leaves behind his wife, Trudy, son Bob (Robert), and grandchildren, Alex, Brooke, and Sasha. His family will treasure the memories of the man who kept them laughing through the years.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org.

Arrangements under the direction of Family Funeral Care, Orlando, FL.