Robert J. "Bob" McDonough, a 26 year resident of Wakefield and formerly of Woburn, died on Monday, January 14, 2008, at The Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers following a lengthy illness. He was 68 years old.
Bob was born in Medford on March 28, 1939. He grew up in Woburn where he attended Woburn Public Schools, graduated from Woburn High School in 1956 and was a member of the class of Kimball Union Academy Class of 1957. He enlisted into the United States Navy on November 19, 1958. He served aboard the U.S.S. Hank during the Vietnam Conflict and was honorably discharged on August 26, 1960. Following his discharge Bob furthered his education at Dartmouth College and graduated as a member of the Class of 1963.
In 1963 Bob followed the footsteps of both of his parents and began his career in education. Bob was a highly regarded Social Studies teacher at the John F. Kennedy Middle School in Woburn for 36 years. He was a member of The Massachusetts Teachers Association. In addition to his joy of teaching, Bob's other passion was tennis. He played for the Wakefield Tennis League for more than 2 decades and played on Cape Cod for more than 30 summers. Bob enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially at his summer home in Falmouth where he enjoyed reading. Bob loved watching the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, Bruins and Wimbledon.
Bob is the devoted father of Devin B. McDonough and his wife Tara of Malden. He is the loving "Grandpa" to Lily M. McDonough. He is the cherished former husband of Marsha (Friel) McDonough of Falmouth. He is the son of the late Bartholomew and Margaret (Foley) McDonough. He is the beloved brother of Mary Heckman and her husband David of Billerica, Julie Hayes and her husband John of Brockton, Bart "Jamie" McDonough of Brighton and Loretta Willett of Woburn. He is the dear friend of Deborah Phillips of Salem. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Bob's Funeral will be held on Friday, January 18, 2008, at 8:45 a.m. from The Carr Funeral Home, 1159 Main Street, Melrose at Wakefield line, followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Charles Borromeo Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn at 10:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours for Bob will be on Thursday, January 17, 2008, from 4 to 8 p.m. A private burial service will be held at the Veterans Administration National Cemetery, Bourne.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make memorial donations in Bob's name to the Woburn Memorial High School Scholarship Fund, c/o Rosemary Donovan, Woburn Memorial High School, 88 Montvale Avenue, Woburn, MA 01801.