Robert F. Slavin

Popular Cape Cod restaurant owner Robert F. Slavin, 89, of Brewster, MA, died in Florida on March 16th. In his brief final illness he was lovingly cared for by his devoted partner of many years, Mary Joyce of Eastham.

Bob, also known to townspeople, customers, and crew as “Cobie,” leaves behind one brother, Joseph Slavin of Annandale, VA. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 51 years, Mary Delaney Slavin and their daughter, Karen. Bob will be much mourned by five surviving children and their spouses: Rob and Elin Slavin of Brewster; Tom and Loretta Slavin of Norwell; John and Susan Slavin of Conway, SC; Mary Elizabeth “Beth” and Larry Desrosiers of Bridgewater; and Anne Marie “Amy” and Joe Magerowski of Holbrook. Two grown granddaughters, Danielle Slavin of Norwell and Noelle Slavin of Brewster will miss their beloved grandfather. A grandson, Thomas R. Slavin, died suddenly in 2015, after his son, Nicholas R. Slavin, became Bob’s only great-grandchild.

Bob graduated from Thayer Academy and Boston College and served in the US Navy during World War II. In addition, Bob worked many years for the Weyerhauser Corporation and Harbor Millwork before moving to the Cape and buying the seasonal clam shack, Cobies. The restaurant has been a Cape Cod institution since 1948. For the past 31 years Bob and his eldest son Rob have kept the tradition alive, and generations of workers consider him “a legend.”

Bob was a member of the Brewster Chamber of Commerce as well as the National Restaurant Association. He was part of the faith community at Our Lady of the Cape Parish. In his younger years, Bob enjoyed several outdoor sports, especially golf and sailing, and continued to be an avid fan of all Boston professional sports teams.

A wake will be held at Nickerson Funeral Home on Eldredge Park Way in Orleans with visiting hours from 4 to 7 PM on Thursday, March 23rd. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Friday, March 24th at Our Lady of the Cape Church, 468 Stony Brook Rd, Brewster. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nicholas Robert Slavin Fund c/o South Shore Savings Bank, 400 Washington St., Norwell, MA 02061.

For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com