Robert James Tilley

Robert James Tilley, age 79, passed away in his Naples, Florida home with his loving wife by his side after a courageous year-long battle with cancer. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 23, 1945, he was the son of the late James Bradford Tilley and Gertrude Ahearn Tilley. Bob grew up in Houghs Neck, a section of Quincy, Massachusetts known for its spectacular water views and cold Northeast winters. He graduated from Benjamin Franklin Institute in Boston and was a member of the IBEW Local 103, working with Norfolk Electric Company for 40 years until his retirement in 2003.

Bob was a Vietnam War veteran serving in the Army. His awards for his service in Vietnam (1968-1969) included the Bronze Star with "V" for valor, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Vietnamese Gallantry Cross.

Bob leaves his wife of 26 years, Barbara White Tilley. They resided in Weymouth, Massachusetts for many years until moving full-time to Naples, Florida in 2017. Bob will be remembered for his natural athleticism as a basketball and baseball player, runner, skier and tennis player. He was an expert skier and traveled with ski groups to Europe for over 30 years. His more than 50 T-shirts attest to the running races and tennis tournaments he was in through the years. He was ranked in New England tennis for many years in different age groups, then ranked in National doubles, and then finally playing in senior tennis tournaments in Florida after his retirement. He and Barbara competed in National Husband-Wife tournaments for five years. He served as president of the Quincy Tennis Club. Bob will be remembered for his love of practical jokes, cooking skills, gardening expertise and a workshop filled with any tool or part you might need and the ability to fix or build anything.

Bob is survived by Barbara, his brother Brian (Ahearn) Tilley and wife Brenda Tilley, nieces Christine Miller, Michelle Lanzoni and grand-nephews Patrick and William, and brothers-in-law Chris White, Peter White, nephew Taran White, nieces Meagan Bedsaul, Melissa Barnes, Tyga Villelli, Natalie White, grand-nephews Odin Villelli, Boden and Henry Bedsaul and grand-nieces Eleanor Bedsaul and Lena White.

A celebration of his life will be held in Quincy, Massachusetts at the Neighborhood Club on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM and in Naples in the fall. His ashes will be scattered by his family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the hospice organization - Avow Foundation, Inc., 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105-5028 or Avowcares.org. Thank you.