Robert P. Reardon

Newton – Golfer Lee Trevino said that "There are two things you can do with your head down . . . golf and pray". And those who knew Bob Reardon best know that he did both with reverence, regularity and zeal.

Bob was born in Brighton on December 16, 1947, a son of the late Martin and Margaret (Ryan) Reardon and was raised in Newton. When the state decided to claim the family home in Auburndale to build part of the Massachusetts Turnpike the clan moved to Waltham where he graduated from high school in 1965. Four years later he earned his bachelor's degree from Boston State College.

After college he served with the United States Army during the Vietnam War and when he got out of the service went to Suffolk Law School on Beacon Hill. After passing the Bar exam he practiced law in Boston until his retirement. Never one to let grass grow under his feet he then took up the mantle of Executive Secretary of the New England Senior Golfers Association, a job that he thoroughly enjoyed.

Robert P. Reardon died Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital following a period of declining health. He was 68.

Bob would testify that his best day on earth came on Sunday, July 10, 1977 when he met Lowell native Anne Marie Carr when both were playing golf at Wayland Country Club . . . and it was then that Trevino's words came to life for Bob . . . he met the girl of his dreams and after lots of praying, planning and golfing convinced her to marry him. Both were the lucky beneficiaries of that chance meeting on the links. On July the 12th, 1980 the pair were married in Sacred Heart Church, Lowell and lived in Watertown for a time before moving to Newton in 1984.

As a youngster Bob caddied for years at Charles River Country Club and later became a member, with Anne Marie, at Newton's Woodland Golf Club. Throughout their lives the couple traveled throughout the country and around the world exploring history and geography, always to include some of the best courses to be found.

In addition to his beloved wife of thirty-six years, Anne Marie, he leaves his siblings, Thomas Reardon and his wife, Sharon, of Westborough, Elizabeth Clark and her husband, Forest, of Olympia, Washington and David Reardon and his wife, Maureen, of Quincy; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Sr. Kathleen Carr , C.S.J. of Brighton, Sr. Ellen Carr, O.S.F. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Virginia Voros of Macungie, Pennsylvania, Mary Elizabeth Lawyer and her husband, Raymond, of Middletown, Pennsylvania and Paula Barr and her husband, Daniel, of Wilmington, Delaware; his next-door-neighbor, friend, angel and nurse, Connie Barry, and many nieces, nephews and their families.

Bob was also a brother of the late Richard Reardon.

Family and friends will honor and remember Bob's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, November 6th from 2 to 6 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 573 Washington Street, Newton where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Newton Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, 300 Arnold Palmer Blvd., Norton, MA 02766 or to the Edw. T. Barry Ice Rink Fund, c/o UMass Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125.