Robert (Bob) Alfred Lague (age 76) - loving husband, father, grandfather, talented musician, and friend of Woburn, Massachusetts, passed away on September 28th, 2023, after battling an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Mr. Lague was born on June 18th, 1947 to Alfred and Olga Lague in Woonsocket, RI. After Robert graduated from North Smithfield High School in 1964, he went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and applied piano from the New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) in Boston along with a Master’s in piano performance.
Mr. Lague taught in the Massachusetts Public Schools for 40 years in Lexington, Andover, and Stoneham until his retirement in 2008. He taught Music Appreciation, Harmony-Theory, Jazz Improvisation, Drama, and Chorus. He also directed over 40 school musicals. In addition to conducting choruses that have performed for the National Education Association for Music Educators, the Northeastern District and Junior District choruses, Mr. Lague was also the “Official Organist” for the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the National Education Association for many years.
Mr. Lague spent 53 years as an Organist/Choir Director in various churches including the First Congregational church in Natick, the Beverly Second Congregational church, South Church in Andover, the Allin Church in Dedham, and most recently at the Trinity Baptist Church in Arlington. Additionally, Mr. Lague has been the Music Director and Founder of the Lexington Pops Chorus (LPC) since its inception in 1982. He also directed the Carleton Willard Village Chorus in Bedford, MA, and the Lexington Choral at Brookhaven. He accompanied “Maria and Luis” from Sesame Street for some time in several concerts across the country and Bermuda.
Mr. Lague received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the NEA Fine Arts Caucus, which he founded. In 1999, at the Massachusetts Music Educators Association All-State Conference, he received the Lowell Mason Award for “Outstanding Work in Music Education”. In 2008, Mr. Lague was awarded the “Most Valuable Teacher Award” from the Red Sox in conjunction with the Massachusetts Teachers Association. More recently, in August of 2023, Mr. Lague was given a “Certificate of Civic Leadership” presented by Woburn’s Mayor, Scott Galvin.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Nancy L. (Brown) Lague, his children Michael R. Lague and his wife Margaret Lewis, of New Jersey, Jennifer N. Lague and long-time partner Anthony Logan, of Maine, Jessica E. McGrath and her husband Vincent, of Bedford, Juliana E. Regan and her husband David, of Reading. He was the loving grandfather of Zachary and Elizabeth Lague, Grace and Jacob Regan, Ryan, Kyle, Arya, and Cody McGrath. Bob is further survived by his former spouse and friend, Nancy Chapman.
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend Visiting hours at the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., Woburn, Friday, October 6th, from 4 to 7 p.m. A memorial Service will be held at the United Methodist Church of Woburn, 523 Main St., Woburn, Saturday, October 7th, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bob’s memory to The Lexington Pops Chorus and the Glioblastoma foundation.