Robert E. Paquette
Retired B&M and Amtrak Railways Machinist
LOWELL: Robert Edward “Bob” Paquette, age 82, a resident of the Belvidere area of Lowell for 54 years, passed away at the Lowell General Hospital on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
He was the beloved husband of Elizabeth A. “Betsy” (Eaton) Paquette, with whom celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on June 16, 2022.
Born in Malden on November 26, 1939, he was the son of the late Frank Paquette and the late Margaret (Collyer) Paquette.
Robert was raised in Malden and attended Malden High School. He later resided in Wakefield for several years.
In 1963, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Vietnam War Era.
He was employed as a machinist by the B&M Railroad Company and later with Amtrak Railways until his retirement in 2001.
Robert was a former member of the Long Meadow Golf Club in Lowell.
“Grampy” as he was lovingly referred to by his three grandsons, shared a unique and special relationship with each of them. He had nicknames for each that had special meaning and matched their personalities. He paid particular attention to their individual interests and tailored conversations and activities to those interests. He was so proud of each of them.
“Parky” was an avid train enthusiast as evidenced by his 37-year career in the railroad industry and his extensive HO Scale Model train collection.
Bob always looked forward to spending his winters in Florida with Betsy and dear friends. He’d always call home when it snowed up north to let us know how nice the weather was in Florida. He so enjoyed looking out over the water watching dolphins and the beautiful sunsets.
Bob was a family man through and through. Nothing made him happier than spending time with family and friends.
While he wasn’t a swimmer, he was always poolside manning the grill while everyone enjoyed the pool and then his cooking.
He had a wonderful sarcastic sense of humor and a very dry wit.
Bob was a wonderful husband, proud father and grandfather, loving brother and uncle, and terrific neighbor who will be sorely missed by all who knew and love him so very much.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Robert E. Paquette, Jr. and his wife Lynn, of Tewksbury and Barry F. Paquette and his wife June, of Lawrence: three grandsons, Eric R. Paquette, Christopher A. Paquette and his fiancé, Courtney Platt, and Kyle M. Paquette. Robert was the brother of Denise Gage and her husband Ron, of Ipswich, and the late Peggy Littlefield and Frank F. Paquette.
At the request of the family, services will be private.
Donations in his memory may be made to the MSPCA-Nevins Farm, www.nevinsfarm.com, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844 or to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741