Robert W. Attridge, 92 of Beverly, died Thursday, February 28, 2013 at the Beverly Hospital following a brief illness. He was the loving husband of the late Margaret J. (Harrison) Attridge.
Born and raised in Salem, he was the son of the late James F. and Josephine (O’Brien) Attridge. A graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Lynn and Boston College Class of ’42, he was commissioned an Officer in the US Marine Corps in 1941, prior to Pearl Harbor. During his tour of duty he served as Second Lieutenant in New Guinea, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima for which he was awarded the Bronze and Silver Star. When his tour of active duty ended, he joined the Marine Corps Reserves and retired from the reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Married to Margaret in 1951, the couple settled in Beverly. He was employed as a sales representative for Anchor Hocking Glass Co. for over 30 years, until his retirement in the late 1970’s. Upon his retirement, he and Margaret wintered in Florida and summered in Ipswich.
Robert loved his wife and family and only slightly less did he love golf, traveling and music. He was a member of the Salem Country Club, the Wenham Golf Club and the Sugarmill Woods Golf Club in Florida. A devout Catholic, over the years he has been a member of several parishes both here and in Florida.
He is survived by four sons: Joseph Poirier and his wife Rebecca Caplice of Shelburne Falls, Robert W. Attridge, Jr. and his wife Emily of Tybee Island, Georgia, Peter D. Attridge and his wife Brenda of Manchester, Richard A. Attridge of Salem, three daughters, Mary E. Silvestri and her husband Henry of Central Village, CT, Martha A. Corr and her husband Gerard of Somersworth, NH, Margaret J. Nickerson of Ipswich. He is also survived by a brother William Attridge and his wife Patricia of Salem and eighteen grandchildren, Jacqueline, Colby, Jay, Jamie, Kyle, Meghan, Dylan, Ty, Lile, Terrence, Briana, Richael, Bevin, Riona, Nolan, Riley, Keaton and Sara, as well as 12 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, James F. Attridge, Jr.
Relatives and friends are invited to his visiting hours on Friday, March 8, 2013 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Full Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, Salem. (on Salem Common) His funeral mass will be on Saturday, March 9th at 10:00 A.M. in the Immaculate Conception Church, Hawthorne Blvd, Salem, to be followed by a committal service in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758540, Topeka, KS 66675-8540. For online contributions: support.woundedwarrior.org/welcome. For additional information and guest book, please visit, www.SalemFuneral.com