Robert A. Hiltunen, 88 of Salem, died unexpectedly Friday, January 9, 2014 at the NSMC / Salem Hospital. He was the devoted husband of Gloria T. (Leger) Hiltunen with whom he shared 66 years of marriage.
Born and raised in Salem, he was the son of the late Charles and Lauretta (Longval) Hiltunen. Bob was a graduate of St. Joseph Grammar School in 1941 and St. Joseph Academy, Class of '45. A veteran of two wars, he served in World War II and Korea with the Navy. He returned to Salem and was employed as a carpenter for the Union Local 26 of Beverly of which he was a former President.
Apart from Gloria and his family, Bob’s greatest love was for the Sea. He was active with the Salem Sea Scouts for over 50 years. He helped build the Salem ‘Friendship’ and volunteered with the National Park Service at the Derby Wharf location. He was a member of the former St. Joseph Parish and was most recently a member of St. James Parish.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Denise M. Walsh and husband Richard of Pocasset, Kari R. Norris and fiancée Harry Reifel of Danvers, four sons, R. Scott Hiltunen and wife Valerie, Jon ‘Rick’ Hiltunen and wife Chris all of Salem, Peter L. Hiltunen and wife Deb of Glen Allen, VA, and Eric S. Hiltunen and wife Janet of Canaan, NH. He also leaves two brothers, Richard of Dover, NH and Clark Hiltunen of Haverhill as well as 18 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Charles.
Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral mass on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. in St. James Church, 156 Federal St., Salem. Visiting hours will be at the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St. [Route 114 / 1-A] Salem on Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Honor Flight New England, PO Box 6287, Hooksett, NH 03106. www.honorflightnewengland.org For additional information and guestbook, please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com