Robert Charles Upton

Robert Charles Upton, age 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Monday, August 22, 2016. Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on July 6, 1937, he was the son of the late Stanley H. and Flora (MacLeod) Upton. Bob, also known as "Red" was raised in Walpole, Massachusetts and loved playing hockey for Walpole High School, earning a spot on the varsity team as a freshman. He and his team won the State Championship in 1953. After graduation Bob proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged in October of 1958, after earning the rank of Sergeant. While in the service he was given the Meritorious Mast for saving a fellow Marine's life.

After returning home from the Marine Corps, Bob met his future wife, Maureen C. O'Reilly, in the spring of 1959 and they were married on May 6, 1962 in Saint Margaret Mary's Church in Westwood, MA. Together they made their home in Walpole, where Bob and Maureen raised their three daughters Sharon, Julie and Suzanne. Bob was an active member of the Walpole Lions Club for many years.

Bob took a position with Boyd Waterproofing in Cambridge, where he learned his trade of waterproofing and roofing. He went on to run the New England territory of Applied Roofing Technology for several years before starting his own company, 21st Century Roofing Systems, Inc, in 1985. As a commercial roofing contractor, Bob took on large accounts such as Home Depot and Lowes. Bob and Maureen enjoyed several award trips including a cruise to the Western Mediterranean, St. Maarten, Florida, Las Vegas and others.

Upon his retirement in 2002 Bob and Maureen moved to their home in Onset, MA where they enjoyed the summer months. They also loved spending the winter months at their home in Bonita Springs, Florida.

Throughout his life, Bob was passionate about boating and fishing. He would spend many days with friends and family blue fishing, tuna fishing and cruising the Cape Cod Canal as well as going out for the day throwing down the anchor and swimming. He would tow the boat to Florida and spend his time on the water there too.

Bob loved gardening. While living in Walpole, he had a large vegetable and flower garden and enjoyed creating a Koi Pond and a three-hole putting green in his backyard. He loved his home and hosting gatherings for family and friends. Wonderful memories were made at his and Maureen's many clambakes, snowmobile parties and Easter egg hunts.

Most of all, Bob loved spending time with his family and friends some of whom he's known since kindergarten. In the last 23 years of his life his beloved grandchildren took center stage. He loved supporting them at their dance recitals, gymnastic and skating competitions, soccer and hockey games and everything and anything related to their lives. He will be greatly missed.

Beloved husband of Maureen C. (O'Reilly) Upton.
Loving father of Sharon E. Judge and her husband Richard of Medfield, Julie C. Upton of Rockport, MA and Suzanne M. Kracunas and her husband William of Hingham. Cherished grandfather of Savannah, Jacqueline and Collin Judge, Ben, Katie, and Abby Kracunas. Brother of Richard D. Upton of Norwood, the late Dorothy Jenks, the late Evelyn Quackenbush and the late Stanley Upton, Jr.
Bob is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Bob's Life Celebration on Sunday, August 28, 2016 from 2-6 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Funeral Home Service will be held on Monday, August 29, 2016 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in the MA National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob's memory to the National Parkinson Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131, www.parkinson.org