Robert R. Santos

Robert Rodrigues Santos (84) passed away on 8/31/18 at the Brockton Veterans’ Hospice Unit after a two-year battle with COPD, Bladder Cancer, and Kidney Failure due to smoking. He was the son of Gabriel Rodrigues Santos, a mason, of Portugal and Mary Carvalho, a homemaker, of Fall River, her parents of the Azores. Growing up in Westport, MA he worked on his family’s farm tending animals and a vegetable garden with siblings Gabriella, Leonel, (Robert) and Linda. Robert learned his strong work ethic from his parents and that little farm. Known as “Sparky” because he followed his older brother Leo (known as “Lightning”) everywhere, Bob worked on Sampson’s Farm in Westport picking potatoes into his teen years.

Bob joined the U.S. Air Force from 1952-1956, recalling, “I did not want to sleep in a tent on the ground like the guys in the Army.’’ He was an Air Man First Class, assigned to work in supply. He volunteered for Korea but was sent to Reykjavik, Iceland.

He later went to trade school, becoming a draftsman who did structural concrete, steel, mechanical, and maritime drafting over his career. His last job was working for the MIT Lincoln Lab on the Star Wars program. This was his “dream job” because he had good money, creativity, and respect.

Robert met the late Mariette (Francoeur) at Lincoln Park, a popular spot for dancing. He loved nothing more than dancing with her from that day on. They married on June 11, 1960, looking out for each other for 57 years. They had two children; Cheryl G. born in 1961 and Richard R. born in 1963. Robert’s love for his family brought them from Chicago back to Massachusetts in 1963.

Sparky loved to tinker in his work shop, where he could find the right piece of metal or bolt to fix anything. He was an inventor, but never filed a patent for the many things he drew out at home. He loved to go to yard sales and haggle over an item just to save a dime. He enjoyed fishing just for the thrill of the fight with the fish – even better to win. He loved to tell jokes. He was generous in giving the special gift of his time to family or friends to help with a project if they were in need.

Bob loved family, his many godchildren, nieces and nephews. One of his greatest joys in life was catching up with all the relatives at their annual Christmas party. He enjoyed his Godson Carl Bolton, recalling all the Christmas holidays spent together when Carl was a child, and more recently hearing about what he was currently doing in life. He was fond of his Godson Michael Camara, whose antics with Rick reminded him of “some of the stupid things Leo and I would do.’’ His best friend was Paul Berman, whom he loved like a brother. When they would go out to eat with Mariette, Paul would tell Mariette to order the lobster and Bob would kick Paul under the table.

When his grandson Matthew was a toddler, Bob would whistle, and Matthew would immediately go looking for Vovo. Time with Amanda and Matt was spent playing checkers when they were little. One of Bob’s proudest moments was when Matthew pinned the Grandparent Eagle Pin on Mariette and himself. Bob was also proud to visit Amanda’s Culinary Trade school, seeing her in her chef uniform and eating the lemon square she had made that day.

His favorite songs describing his life, his love, and how he felt dancing with Mariette were When a Man Loves a Woman and What a Difference a Day Makes. His personal statement was always “I can fix that.’’ And he could. Bob had human faults like we all do. He was stubborn. He never liked to take “no” for an answer. But this tenacity made him a supportive father and a true friend.

Robert is survived by daughter Cheryl and her long-time companion Joseph Virag, son Richard and his wife Deborah, grandchildren Matthew Robert Charles and Amanda Elizabeth, as well as his sister Linda Camara and many godsons and goddaughters.