Laconia-----Robert M. Whittemore, 83, of 6 Amadeus Drive, died, after a battle with cancer, on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at his home with his family by his side.
Bob was born July 17, 1928 in Malden, Mass., the son of Albert W. Whittemore and Marjorie G. (Morrison) Whittemore. He resided in Ridgewood, New Jersey for several years before moving to Laconia eighteen years ago.
Bob served in the U. S. Navy. He was a music teacher in the Ridgewood, New Jersey Public School System for thirty-five years, retiring in June, 1988. Music was his career and one of his main interests in life. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire and Boston University, he also attended Doctoral classes at New York University. He taught choral music at Ridgewood High School in New Jersey and instrumental music in their grade school system. He was selected to lead the New Jersey All-State Choir during his early years at Ridgewood. He was choir director for the First Presbyterian Church for many years.
Bob was a communicant of St. Andre Bessette Parish.
Among his many hobbies were photography, fishing, genealogy research and counted cross stitch. An avid sailor, he and his first wife, Connie, spent over ten winters cruising the Bahamas.
Bob met his second wife, Betty, on a cruise with the Bank of New Hampshire eight years ago and that was the beginning of their many travels. Often referred to as “the world travelers”, they have been around the world twice and traveled extensively throughout Europe. They visited every continent except Antarctica and have maintained contact with many of the people they met in different countries.
Survivors include his wife, Betty (Corcoran) Walsh Whittemore, of Laconia, N.H.; two sons, Robert Morrison Whittemore, Jr. and his wife, Kim, of Montgomery, New York and Bradley Washburn Whittemore and his wife, Laura, of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey; a daughter, Gail St. Jean Whittemore Volkert, and her husband, Peter, of Palm Bay, Florida; a sister, Elizabeth Wormstead, of Lynnfield, Mass.; seven grandchildren; one great grandchild; several nieces and nephews and his pet poodle and companion for the past nine years, “Beau”. He was predeceased by his parents and his first wife, Constance St. Jean Whittemore.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, June 10, 2012 from 2:00pm-4:00pm at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, using the Carriage House entrance.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 11, 2012 at 10:00am at St. Andre Bessette Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, N.H.
Private family burial will be in the family lot in Village Cemetery, Fairlee, Vermont.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Central New Hampshire VNA & Hospice, 780 North Main Street, Laconia, N.H. 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.