A much loved husband, father, grandfather, son and brother, J. Robert Harvey, 74, of Charlestown, MA and Clearwater, FL, died on December 18, 2014 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Bob was born January 8, 1940 to the late Joseph and Gilberta (Bilodeau) Harvey of Waltham. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School and completed the apprenticeship program of Pipefitters Local 537 of which he was a proud member.
Bob served honorably in the United States Air Force and was deployed to Germany during the Berlin conflict of 1961.
In 1976 Bob and Frank Norton cofounded Commair and worked together for 20 years to build a successful and well respected company in the HVAC community. During his 20 years he was admired by both employees and colleagues in part because he expected of them only what he demanded of himself.
Following his retirement in 1995, he and his wife Arnita traveled extensively both domestically and internationally and enjoyed a lengthy around the world adventure in 2010.
Aside from his keen interest in sailing, travel and cars, Bob’s utmost passion was for family and friends. His grandchildren and great grandson were a precious gift to him.
Bob’s integrity, loyalty, generosity, patience, intellect and great sense of humor will be missed and lovingly remembered by many including his wife, best friend and staunchest supporter, Arnita (Tennyson) Harvey, his three sons; Robert and wife Melanie of Natick; Kenneth and wife Kara of Wayland; and Michael and wife Karen of Wheaton, IL; his sister Elaine Harvey of Waltham, and brothers Danny of Huntington Beach, CA, Michael and his partner Stephen Solos of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Gerald of Sebastapol, CA and Brian and his wife Kim of Jacksonville, FL
He also leaves his grandchildren; Jennifer, Jonathan, Kenny and his wife Megan, Brian and Timothy Harvey.
He will be cremated in the next few days and will subsequently be honored in a private memorial service.
Donations can be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Charlestown, 15 Green Street, Charlestown, MA 02129.