Robert D. Cormier, 74, of New Bedford died Monday, March 27, 2017 at St. Luke's Hospital after a brief illness. He was the husband of Gail A. Landry.
Born in Acushnet, son of the late Delphis and Dorothy (Caron) Cormier, he lived in New Bedford and Fairhaven for all of his life.
He was a communicant of St. Lawrence Church.
Robert loved volunteering and helping people and was a member of various local organizations including Gifts to Give, the Fairhaven Lions Club, the Oxford Elementary School Council, the Fairhaven Board of Public Works, where he served as chairman for two years, and the North Fairhaven Improvement Association, where he helped to rebuild the organization and organize many community projects and events including the construction of the Livesey Skate Park. He was also instrumental in helping to erect a permanent flag pole on Main Street in Fairhaven at the 195 overpass, in memory of Charles Albaugh. Bob was the go-to guy to get things done and was honored as The Standard-Times' Fairhaven Man of the Year in 1997. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association, High Hill Fox and Coon Club and the Acushnet Rifle and Pistol Club.
Besides helping others, he enjoyed magic tricks, camping, old cars, shooting, dancing and attending Golden Gloves boxing events.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Kim Cormier Souza and her companion Steven Vicente of Dartmouth and Carol Shannon and her husband Scott of Mission Viejo, CA; his former wife, Rosanna Cormier of Fairhaven; four grandchildren, Kelsey Wilson and her husband Luke, Kadi Souza, Kara Souza, and Quinn Shannon; his great-grandson, Carson Andrade; his brother, Richard Cormier; his aunt, Jeannette Oliveira and many cousins.
A memorial visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gifts To Give, One Titleist Dr., Acushnet, MA 02743. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.