Robert William Alence

Robert William Alence of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts (formerly of Wellesley, Massachusetts) passed away peacefully at home on June 13, 2021 at the age of 94. He was born in Brooklyn, New York the son of Richard Alence and Beatrice (Thienert) Alence. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Anne M. (Flynn) Alence.

He enlisted in the naval air gunnery school after high school and served in the Navy in World War II as a first class seaman in the Pacific. He was an army first Lieutenant in the Korean War. He graduated from Boston College class of 1951. After the war, he worked as president of Dingley Contracting Company in Natick, MA, until 1962 when he became self-employed as a management consultant and licensed public accountant. From 1966-1987, he worked as General Manager at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton. He began participating in lay ministry in 1964 at St. Paul’s Parish in Wellesley, MA. In 1973, he read a small notice about the deaconate in the weekly church bulletin and he “followed what God dictated” and he enrolled in the Deaconate Formation program St. John’s Seminary. He was ordained in 1976 and his deaconate ministry spanned 46 years. In 1976, he became parish deacon at St. Paul’s serving there until 1984. In 1985-1995 Rev. Alence worked as a Catholic Chaplain, ministering to prisoners in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He found the prison ministry to be the most powerful experience of his deaconate life. In 1996, he joined Corpus Christi Parish, Sandwich, MA as parish deacon and served there for many years. He was instrumental in the design and construction of the new Corpus Christi Church. The Adoration Chapel was a place of peace for him. Being in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament gave him great strength and comfort.

He devoted his life to family and faith. He so enjoyed time with his wonderful wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Retiring to Buzzards Bay, allowed him to pursue his lifelong wish to spend time fishing.

Robert is survived by is 7 children; Robert Alence jr. (deceased), Kimberly (Alence) Hardy and husband Maurice Hardy of Wareham, MA, Kellie (Alence) Lucy and husband Paul Burgholzer of Needham, MA, Richard Alence and Massimo Valpa of Lakeworth, FL, Anne (Alence) Trubia of Norwell, MA, Edward Alence of Hyannis, MA, and Katherine (Alence) Stevens of Portland, Oregon. He is also survived by his 14 Grandchildren, and 7 Great Grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday June18th 11am, at Corpus Christi Parish, 324 Quaker Meeting House Rd. East Sandwich, MA. Burial will be held on Saturday June 19th 11am, at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton, MA all are welcomed.

For directions & online Condolences please visit; Robert Alence Obituary - Bourne, MA (dignitymemorial.com)