WORCESTER-Robert F. Thorpe, Sr., 86, of Worcester died Thursday, April 23, 2015 at Saint Vincent Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He leaves his beloved wife of 70 years, Gertrude T. (Chalon) Thorpe; two sons, Gary F. Thorpe of Bradenton, FL and Alan F. Thorpe of Worcester; three daughters, Eileen F. Martell, Deborah J. Gaylord and Tammy E. d’Armagnac, all of Worcester. He also leaves six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren to whom he was affectionately known as “Dude” and “Papa”. Robert was predeceased by his son, Robert F. Thorpe, Jr. in 2002; his brother Forest, and twin sisters, Doris and Dorothy.
He was born in Worcester, son of Frank P. and Clara E. (Emisch) Thorpe, served in the US Army, and was an Air Force Veteran of the Korean War. Bob worked in the shipping department at the former Reed Plastics in Holden for 30 years, retiring in 1994. He loved spending time in his yard gardening, tending to his flowers, birdwatching and caring for his little companion, “mama kitty”. Another favorite hobby of Bob’s was keeping a daily journal of the weather. He was an avid fan of the N.E. Patriots and the Red Sox.
Funeral services and burial in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton will be private. To honor Bob’s love of animals, the family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Worcester Animal Rescue League, 139 Holden Street, Worcester, MA 01606.