Robert W. Atkins, 81, of Franklin died Saturday, December 15, 2012 at the Milford Regional Medical Center. He was the husband of Eileen (Nicholson) Atkins who died in 2004.
Born in Orange, NJ on November 17, 1931, he was the son of the late Levi B. and Mary C. (Reilly) Atkins
Mr. Atkins grew up in the Oranges of NJ, moved to Franklin in 1959 and then to Chalfont, PA in 1984 where he resided, until moving back to Franklin in 2005.
Mr. Atkins was a graduate of St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, NJ and earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ.
Mr. Atkins served in the Marine Corps for three years during the Korean Conflict.
Before his retirement, he worked as a life insurance underwriter at Prudential Life Insurance Co. for over 30 years.
Mr. Atkins was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Franklin and was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church where he volunteered as an usher for many years.
Mr. Atkins served on the former Financial Advisory Board for the Town of Franklin and was also on the Town Council. He was a former member and chairman of the Franklin School Committee.
Mr. Atkins enjoyed golf and was an avid reader.
He is survived by two sons, Douglas Atkins and his wife Sheila of Norfolk and Keith Atkins and his wife Denise of Leesburg, VA and a daughter Mary Healy and her husband Richard of Hebron, CT, two sisters Joan Baker of Carver and Margaret Hand of Colonia, NJ., and three brothers, James Atkins of Batavia, OH, William Atkins of Bricktown, NJ, and Thomas Atkins of Jacksonville, FL, and eight grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Thursday, December 20 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. in the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin 131 Main Street in Franklin followed by a funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Church, Church Square in Franklin at noon.
Burial will follow at the parish cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Milford Regional Healthcare Foundation, 14 Prospect St., Milford, MA 01757.